Elizabeth Dunn

Earthquake risk perception: A picture is worth a thousand stats

Seismic engineers and psychologists from UBC teamed up with a visual artist to create an image showing what a Vancouver elementary school would look like after a major earthquake, and how it could help people understand the risk of a seismic event.

Dec 2, 2019

2019 edition of TED Talks aims at problem-solving ideas ‘bigger than us’

The Vancouver Sun reported that Elizabeth Dunn, a professor of psychology at UBC, will present at TED Talks this week. The article also appeared in the Ottawa Citizen.

Apr 17, 2019

How to buy a house, in seven steps

Elizabeth Dunn, a professor of psychology at UBC, spoke to NPR for an article about buying a new home.

Apr 15, 2019

DIY fades as paintmakers cater to a new favorite: Do-it-for-me

Bloomberg quoted Elizabeth Dunn, a psychology professor at UBC, in an article about the trend for hiring professional house painters. Dunn’s research found that bought time tends to make people happier […]

Feb 25, 2019

Put down your phone and speak to people

The Daily Mail mentioned a study involving UBC researchers Jason Proulx and Elizabeth Dunn, which revealed that people miss out on opportunities to boost social connectedness when they rely on […]

Jan 2, 2019

Gift giving an exception to one of human nature’s rules

The Sydney Morning Herald mentioned a series of experiments by UBC psychologist Elizabeth Dunn, which found that people who gives gifts receive a “gifter’s surplus”.

Jan 2, 2019

How money can buy you happiness

The Independent cited a 2008 study from UBC which found that giving money away makes people happier, as long as there is enough to meet essential needs. “People often pour […]

Dec 24, 2018

The science of giving gifts your loved ones won’t want to return

The Washington Post mentioned a study by UBC psychology professor, Elizabeth Dunn. The research found that objects received as gifts tend to produce modest and consistent happiness, whereas experiences given […]

Dec 13, 2018

If you want to feel better, spend money on saving time

The Wall Street Journal mentioned Elizabeth Dunn, a professor of psychology at UBC. Dunn co-authored a study, with professors from Harvard Business School, which found that people are happier if […]

Dec 13, 2018

6 ways the holiday season affects your marriage, according to experts

Romper cited research by UBC psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn, who found that people who spend money on others are happier than people who use cash on themselves.

Nov 28, 2018

Can’t stop worrying? Try Tetris to ease your mind

Elizabeth Dunn, a UBC psychologist, spoke to NPR about a study that found a flow-inducing game of Tetris could help people waiting to hear about life-altering news. Dunn, who wasn’t involved […]

Nov 6, 2018

Money doesn’t buy you happiness… or does it?

Metro News U.K. mentioned UBC psychology research in a story about the link between money and happiness. Elizabeth Dunn, a UBC psychologist, found that people were happier after spending money […]

Oct 23, 2018

Sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner? UBC study suggests putting smartphones away

A CBC article about smartphone use quoted Ryan Dwyer, a second-year PhD student at UBC, who recently co-authored a study with psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn. The researchers found that participants […]

Oct 9, 2018

UBC faculty honoured by Royal Society of Canada

The Royal Society of Canada honoured nine UBC professors this month for their outstanding achievements and contributions to their fields.

Sep 22, 2015

How “time is money” thinking can hurt the environment: UBC research

Thinking “time is money” can be a barrier for people to act in environmentally friendly ways, even for tasks like recycling that take mere seconds, according to UBC research.

Apr 21, 2015

Next stop: happiness

A UBC psychologist says there’s more at stake in the Metro Vancouver transit referendum than shorter commute times and climate change. The way you vote could also impact your happiness level.

Mar 17, 2015

Gift giving 101

UBC’s Elizabeth Dunn on how to make the most of Christmas gift giving and how it really is better to give than receive.

Dec 9, 2013

Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending

Rich or poor, giving makes you happy: global research finds rare evidence of universal trait

Global research finds rare evidence of universal trait…

May 9, 2013

Giving makes young children happy, UBC study suggests

If it is indeed nobler to give than to receive, it may also make you happier – even if you’re a toddler, according to a new study co-authored by three psychologists at the University of British Columbia.

Jun 19, 2012