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Cultural Animal

How we find meaning in life.

Psych Careers
Why Some Scientific Conferences Are Less Effective

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on December 11, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Serving as program chair for two conferences alerted me to an ongoing question: Should organizers give more consideration to presenters or audiences?

A Personal Perspective: Serving as program chair for two conferences alerted me to an ongoing question: Should organizers give more consideration to presenters or audiences?

Optimism
Bad Is Still (Much) Stronger Than Good

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on June 26, 2023

Human minds tend to focus on the negative and overreact. This pattern has been confirmed in thousands of research studies and, amusingly, in a pair of blogs about the future.

Human minds tend to focus on the negative and overreact. This pattern has been confirmed in thousands of research studies and, amusingly, in a pair of blogs about the future.

Dementia
Modern Aging Has Two Very New Dangers

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on May 27, 2023

Longer lives mean that more people will suffer from dementia. Meanwhile, new retirement plans replace lifelong pensions with a lump sum that could run out.

Longer lives mean that more people will suffer from dementia. Meanwhile, new retirement plans replace lifelong pensions with a lump sum that could run out.

Pessimism
Social Psychology's Dark Future

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on March 27, 2023

Many social psychologists see their field in crisis. The problems are serious and may get worse. Here are some worst-case scenarios that spell more trouble ahead.

Many social psychologists see their field in crisis. The problems are serious and may get worse. Here are some worst-case scenarios that spell more trouble ahead.

Optimism
Social Psychology's Bright Future

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on March 27, 2023

Despite social psychology's current struggles and woes, there are good reasons to look forward to a bright future. Things may not be as bad as they seem.

Despite social psychology's current struggles and woes, there are good reasons to look forward to a bright future. Things may not be as bad as they seem.

Psychology
Social Psychology Without Social Interaction

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on October 18, 2022

Large multi-lab replications in social psychology have not fared well. Live social interaction is one big difference between the successes and the failures.

Large multi-lab replications in social psychology have not fared well. Live social interaction is one big difference between the successes and the failures.