The Social Thinker

How we think about ourselves and others

by Melissa Burkley, Ph.D.

Is Lisbeth Salander a Psychopath?

In an earlier post, I posed the question "Is Dexter a successful psychopath." Given the upcoming release of the David Fincher film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I wanted to revisit this question but instead ask, "Is Lisbeth Salander a Psychopath?" In the recently published book The Psychology of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, my colleague (who is an expert in the empirical study o Read More

Is Twilight Prejudiced?

I was recently honored with the opportunity to write a chapter for the edited book The Psychology of Twilight, along with several other esteemed Psychology Today bloggers. I highly recommend the book for anyone with an interest in the Twilight series. Read More

The Harry Potter Effect: The Science Behind Why We Like Magical Things

If there is one thing psychologists can learn from the Harry Potter phenomenon, it is that people love magic. J. K. Rowling's richly developed world of wizards and mystical creatures and magical spells draws the reader in. But we all know that such magic remains within the pages of those stories, right? Do people actually believe that magic exists in the real world? Read More

Sin: Is Absolution Just a Hand Wash Away?

Lent is a time when many people consider their sinful behaviors and attempt to resist giving in to their greatest temptations, at least for a few weeks. But is there an easier way to alleviate our lives of sin? Recent research suggests there is, and all it will cost you is the price of an antibacterial wipe or a bar of soap. Read More

Are Black Women Invisible?

Fifty-five years ago, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a White man, and in doing so, provided the spark that set off the Civil Rights movement. Her actions that day were undeniably brave, but are even more impressive in the wake of recent research suggesting Black women are invisible. No, I don't mean invisible in the superhero kind of way; I mean invisible in a sociocultural way. Read More

Are Your Tech Gadgets Out To Get You?

Ever have one of those days when the technological world seems to be out to get you? Maybe your computer is refusing to follow your commands and you feel compelled to negotiate with it, first by coaxing it into submission, and then, when it still refuses to cooperate, by cursing at it. Or maybe you feel like you are being outsmarted by your Smartphone. Read More

Have Scientists Finally Discovered Evidence for Psychic Phenomena?

In Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, the White Queen tells Alice that in her land, "memory works both ways." Not only can the Queen remember things from the past, but she also remembers "things that happened the week after next." Alice attempts to argue with the Queen, stating "I'm sure mine only works one way...I can't remember things before they happen." The Queen replies, " Read More

Is Dexter a Successful Psychopath?

Why do "normal" people enjoy watching a television show about a serial killer? Maybe it is because Dexter gives us a peek into the rarely explored and misunderstood mind of a "successful" psychopath. Read More

Seeing Red: Does Wearing Red Make You Sexy?

Does wearing red make you more appealing to the opposite sex? Read More

Why Would a Child Falsely Accuse her Mother of a Crime?

Today it was reported that Tonya Craft, a former kindergarten teacher accused of molesting three young girls inlcuding her daughther, was acquitted of all 22 charges against her. What could lead a daughter to make false accusations about her own mother? Read More

Mind the Gap: Who Falls Prey to the Math Gender Gap?

One personality characteristic plays a significant role in the math gender gap. Read More

Why Don’t We Help? Less Is More, at Least When It Comes to Bystanders

On October 24th, 2009, as many as 20 witnesses watched as a 15 year old girl was brutally assaulted and raped outside a homecoming dance in Richmond, CA. The viciousness of the attack was shocking, but what was even more shocking was the fact that so many people witnessed the attack and yet failed to intervene or call police. Read More

Pop and Prejudice: How Modern Prejudice is Depicted in our Pop Culture

Humans are fascinated by prejudice, and our interest in this topic can easily be seen in our films, television shows, books and plays. Some movies and TV shows attempt to address the issue of prejudice head-on (e.g., Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, American History X). Read More

Jon & Kate Plus Kate: Do Women Prefer Already Attached Men?

Unless you've done your very best to shield yourself from all forms of media for the last few months, you have likely heard about the dissolving marriage between Jon & Kate Plus Eight stars Jon and Kate Gosselin. And you likely know that a contributing factor to their divorce was Jon's alleged affairs with several women, including another Kate (Kate Major). Read More