The Self Illusion

How the social brain creates identity
by Bruce Hood, Ph.D

Stepping on Jesus: Is This a Good Exercise?

Is it wrong to ask people to contemplate symbolic destruction or a useful demonstration of the power of emotion? Read More

The Brain Bank

A free web-based teaching resource based on the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. It contains video clips, demonstrations, images and Q&A discussions all aimed at a teenage audience. Read More

Home Sweet Home

Homesickness is rife among university students. Does Thanksgiving help? Read More

Mind-Body Dualism Is Not Always Healthy

Don't pray to be healthier, read some neuroscience. Read More

Life Should Be Awesome

Being in a state of awe alters time perception and feelings of well-being. Read More

How to Excel on an Exam in One Easy Step

Why you are more likely to succeed if your writing is legible. Read More

Why You Don't Use Only Use a Fraction of Your Brain

There is something appealing about the idea that each us harbors untapped powers. Read More

The Selfish Dying

Our autobiographical self is a collection of past experiences and encounters that are selectively filtered and reframed by cognitive biases that serve to maintain a persistent characterization of who we think we are and more importantly, how we would like to be perceived by others. Read More

What is the Self Illusion?

Here is my interview that I just did with Sam Harris, author of "The End of Faith" and other best-selling books. He's also a neuroscientist. Read More

Dark Tourism

There are tourists who want to visit sites associated with death—why? Read More

Why Do We Need a Brain?

Whenever I speak to the general public about the brain, I usually begin with a simple question, “Why do humans need a brain?” Read More

Publish and Be Damned

Well, what should be my very first blog for Psychology Today? I have had a look through the help pages and the do’s and don’ts of blogging on this site. Read More

Bruce Hood, Ph.D

Bruce Hood, Ph.D., is the Chair in Developmental Psychology at the University of Bristol.

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Books by Bruce Hood, Ph.D.

Image of The Self Illusion: How the Social Brain Creates Identity
The Self Illusion: How the Social Brain Creates Identity
Image of SuperSense: Why We Believe in the Unbelievable
SuperSense: Why We Believe in the Unbelievable
Image of The Origins of Object Knowledge
The Origins of Object Knowledge
Image of Psychology
Psychology