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Understanding our human natureTrustworthy information, thoughtful commentary, absorbing personal stories

  • Television at its best

    This 3-part series represents what television does best. It opens a window into real lives, exploring ways to improve our social relationships, cope with emotional issues, and become more positive, resilient individuals.

    Hosted by Daniel Gilbert, Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness.

    Television at its best
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  • Self-Help or Self-Harm?

    Is America's $10 billion a year self-help industry really helping?

    Michelle, a cancer survivor, talks about her search for strength. Dan Gilbert interviews author Louise Hay, TV psychologist Dr. Phil and self-help researcher Dr. John Norcross.

    Self-Help or Self-Harm?
    View Perspective
  • The Meaning of Happiness

    We asked comedian Larry David and a group of other very creative people what happiness means to them. Some of their answers may surprise you.

    The Meaning of Happiness
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  • For Alanis Morissette, happiness is a temporary but "juicy" state.

    Alanis Morissette discusses happiness.

    For Alanis Morissette, happiness is a temporary but "juicy" state.
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This Emotional Life is a co-production of the NOVA/WGBH Science Unit and Vulcan Productions, Inc. A Film by Kunhardt McGee Productions. ©/™ 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation and Vulcan Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This Web site was produced for PBS Online by Method.

Funding for This Emotional Life is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.

This Emotional Life: Premieres January 4, 2010