Recent Articles - Illuminate

Do You Use Shopping or the Internet to Escape Stress?

By Diane Dreher

Photo of SCU English Professor and positive psychology coach Diane Dreher.

Research points to hardiness as a more effective way to deal with challenges.

photo of raised hands praying before u.s. capitol

Will the Catholic Church Self-Destruct or Bridge the Partisan Divide?

By Thomas Reese, S.J.

American Catholics are almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, which means the church can either self-destruct or bridge the partisan divide.

The Physics of Surfing

By Phil Kesten

Like so many areas of life, the art and sport of surfing takes practice–and some basic knowledge of physics doesn’t hurt, either.

Historic photo of Armenian woman kneeling in a battllefield with two daughters.

The Scars of Generational Trauma

By Jerry Burger

How long is the shadow of genocide? It’s the question Jerry Burger grapples with in his new novel, The Shadows of 1915.

California Ends Hair Discrimination

By Danielle Morgan

California just banned workplace and public school dress codes and grooming policies that discriminate against anyone based on their hairstyle.

Psychology Plays Key Role in Climate Change Debate

By Hersh Shefrin

As the U.S. presidential campaign season intensifies, the issue of climate change will heat up. Psychology will play an important part in this debate.