Redirect

The surprising psychology of change

by Timothy D. Wilson, Ph.D.

Scared Crooked

Not only is the Scared Straight program ineffective, it may increase criminal behavior. Read More

A self-affirmation exercise involves writing about an area of your life that you particularly value. Research shows that this simple exercise can have beneficial effects, particularly when people are dealing with threats in their lives. Read More

We Are What We Do

Note: Each year, the website Edge.org poses a question for scientists to address. The 2012 question is, "What is Your Favorite Deep, Elegant, or Beautiful Explanation?" My answer is below; for the others, check out the Edge web site. Read More

Penn State, Abuse Victims, and the Power of Narrative

The scandal at Penn State (accusations of sexual predation by a coach, and alleged failures by many coaches and officials to report this abuse to the police) is an important reminder of the power of narratives. The way in which we frame events, and the stories we tell ourselves about them, determine how we feel, think, and act. Read More

Orphan Innovations

If someone has invented a successful, innovative, cost-effective social program, doesn't it seem likely that it would spread quickly to other communities? Susan Evans and Peter Clarke have written a fascinating article detailing why many programs become "orphan innovations" that no one else adopts. Read More

Testing, Testing

Empirical tests of the effectiveness of psychological interventions have long been undervalued by policy makers. Too often, programs are put into place (e.g., to prevent drug use or improve parenting) that are ineffective. Meanwhile, psychological science is discovering approaches that really do work. Read More

How Can We Help When Johnny Can’t Read?

What is the best way to help children who have problems with reading comprehension? There are dozens of reading programs out there and you would think we would know the answer to this question by now. Read More

When Cameron Diaz Lights Up, Do Teenagers Start Smoking?

When a movie star lights up a cigarette in the movies, does it really make teenagers more likely to smoke? And if so, what can we do about it? Read More