Science of Choice

Personality

Why Do We Have Different Tastes in Music?

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on April 2, 2024

We are drawn to musical styles that satisfy and reinforce our psychological needs.

We are drawn to musical styles that satisfy and reinforce our psychological needs.

Emotions

The Joy of Music

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on March 28, 2024

We listen to music for many reasons—enjoyment, emotion regulation, social bonding, nostalgia, and expressing cultural identity—that benefit quality of life.

We listen to music for many reasons—enjoyment, emotion regulation, social bonding, nostalgia, and expressing cultural identity—that benefit quality of life.

Decision-Making

7 Factors to Consider for Making Better Decisions

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on February 23, 2024

Optimal decision-making is focused not only on the “here and now,” but also takes into consideration future consequences of decisions (or seeing the big picture).

Optimal decision-making is focused not only on the “here and now,” but also takes into consideration future consequences of decisions (or seeing the big picture).

Nostalgia

The Psychological Benefits of Nostalgic Music

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on February 14, 2024

Nostalgia improves well-being and helps us cope with life’s stressors.

Nostalgia improves well-being and helps us cope with life’s stressors.

Memory

Memory and Musical Experience

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on February 1, 2024

When we listen to a certain song from years ago, we seem to travel back to that moment.

When we listen to a certain song from years ago, we seem to travel back to that moment.

Memory

How to Create a Durable Memory

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on January 17, 2024

We tend to remember things that are new, interesting, consequential, meaningful, and emotional.

We tend to remember things that are new, interesting, consequential, meaningful, and emotional.

Education

8 Tips for Learning a New Skill

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on November 28, 2023

Lifelong learners get great satisfaction from pushing themselves to develop new skills.

Lifelong learners get great satisfaction from pushing themselves to develop new skills.

Aging

How Music Can Keep Aging Brains Healthy

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on October 26, 2023

Music can help us train our brains to delay progressive cognitive decline.

Music can help us train our brains to delay progressive cognitive decline.

Depression

How Music Affects Us Emotionally

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on September 27, 2023

Music expresses emotion by somehow imitating the dynamics of our inner life.

Music expresses emotion by somehow imitating the dynamics of our inner life.

Creativity

5 Ways We Can Experience Rhythm

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on August 31, 2023

In rhythmic experience, our bodies often engage with the music consciously or unconsciously.

In rhythmic experience, our bodies often engage with the music consciously or unconsciously.

Creativity

How to Cultivate an Aesthetic Mindset

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on August 1, 2023

Arts and aesthetics can improve well-being and enhance our ability to learn and flourish.

Arts and aesthetics can improve well-being and enhance our ability to learn and flourish.

Chronic Pain

How Music Can Alleviate Your Pain

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on June 28, 2023

Research suggests that music can be a complementary alternative for chronic pain treatment.

Research suggests that music can be a complementary alternative for chronic pain treatment.

Chronic Pain

Determinants of Pain Behavior

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on June 26, 2023

Pain as an experience is influenced by various factors involving direct incoming sensory information along with psychological factors.

Pain as an experience is influenced by various factors involving direct incoming sensory information along with psychological factors.

Catastrophizing

6 Reasons Why Some People Feel Pain More Deeply

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on May 1, 2023

Negative emotions and limited emotional awareness can contribute to greater pain and poorer adjustment.

Negative emotions and limited emotional awareness can contribute to greater pain and poorer adjustment.

Placebo

7 Psychological Factors Affecting Pain Perception

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on April 7, 2023

Cognitive and emotional influences affect how much agony we feel.

Cognitive and emotional influences affect how much agony we feel.

Empathy

The Role of Music in Promoting Our Empathic Reactions

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on March 23, 2023

Musical training can act as a tool to regulate emotion and promote empathic behaviors.

Musical training can act as a tool to regulate emotion and promote empathic behaviors.

Openness

5 Factors Influencing Aesthetic Appreciation

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on February 22, 2023

Aesthetic tastes can reflect deeper aspects of ourselves—and also reveal certain qualities of other people.

Aesthetic tastes can reflect deeper aspects of ourselves—and also reveal certain qualities of other people.

Environment

The Mental Benefits of Seeking Awe

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on January 30, 2023

When we feel wonder at something truly incredible, we perceive ourselves as smaller and less significant in relation to the rest of the world.

When we feel wonder at something truly incredible, we perceive ourselves as smaller and less significant in relation to the rest of the world.

Personality

5 Things Your Taste in Music Reveals About You

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on December 26, 2022

People select musical environments that reflect their personalities, attitudes, and emotions.

People select musical environments that reflect their personalities, attitudes, and emotions.

Health

Kindness and Its Benefits

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on December 6, 2022

Kindness toward others can boost our own physical and mental health.

Kindness toward others can boost our own physical and mental health.