News Brief

U. prof writes top psych book of the year Psychology Professor Martin Seligman's recent book, Authentic Happiness, has been named the top psychology book of the year by Books for a Better Life. The award, presented in conjunction with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is given annually to authors who have written books on a variety of topics, including psychology, motivation and self-help. Seligman is known as the developer of the theory of positive psychology, which, according to his book, includes the study of positive emotion, the study of positive traits and the study of positive institutions. He is co-teaching a course on the subject this semester, in conjunction with Visiting Professor Chris Peterson and Political Science Professor John DiIulio. He has also written 20 books, including Learned Optimism, What You Can Change and What You Can't and The Optimistic Child. In addition to his work at Penn, he is also the director of the Positive Psychology Network and served as president of the American Psychological Association in 1998. -- Rachel Velcoff