Mental Mishaps

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Will COVID Brain Fog Increase Risks for Alzheimer’s Disease?

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on September 30, 2022

Brain fog is a common symptom of COVID during acute sickness and long COVID. But will the COVID brain fog potentially increase your risk of Alzheimer's?

Brain fog is a common symptom of COVID during acute sickness and long COVID. But will the COVID brain fog potentially increase your risk of Alzheimer's?

Media

How Our Tendency to See Patterns May Lead People to Conspiracy Theories

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on September 27, 2022

As pattern seekers, we can be susceptible when someone shows us partial information that points to a particular conclusion. How are we connecting the dots?

As pattern seekers, we can be susceptible when someone shows us partial information that points to a particular conclusion. How are we connecting the dots?

Friends

Dispatches From the Disinformation Rabbit Hole

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on July 29, 2022

One of us has fallen down a rabbit hole. One of us sees a version of the world divorced from reality. But the question is: Who? Is it you or me?

One of us has fallen down a rabbit hole. One of us sees a version of the world divorced from reality. But the question is: Who? Is it you or me?

Motivation

The Cognitive Illusion of Constitutional Originalism

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on June 26, 2022

When we search the past, whether our own memories or the historical record, we open ourselves to a variety of cognitive biases.

When we search the past, whether our own memories or the historical record, we open ourselves to a variety of cognitive biases.

Memory

The Stain on the Wall: How False Ideas Stick With Us

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on June 15, 2022

Out, damned spot. Lady Macbeth’s famous line concerns seeing the blood of a murdered man on her hands. But stains are hard to remove from our minds.

Out, damned spot. Lady Macbeth’s famous line concerns seeing the blood of a murdered man on her hands. But stains are hard to remove from our minds.

Attention

Are You an Expert Multitasker?

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on April 27, 2022

Are you an expert in multitasking? Do you regularly track multiple things? What does it mean to become good at multitasking?

Are you an expert in multitasking? Do you regularly track multiple things? What does it mean to become good at multitasking?

Sleep

End Daylight Savings Time and Possibly Save Lives

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on March 10, 2022

This coming Monday, the alarm will call for you an hour earlier than last week. Less sleep is a brutal shock to the system.

This coming Monday, the alarm will call for you an hour earlier than last week. Less sleep is a brutal shock to the system.

Friends

As the Masks Come Off, Will We Recognize Anyone?

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on February 26, 2022

Face recognition is a holistic process, and we see faces as relationships among the features rather than simply a set of features.

Face recognition is a holistic process, and we see faces as relationships among the features rather than simply a set of features.

Attention

When Expert Witnesses Are the Problem

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on January 29, 2022

What should we do when an expert witness provides incorrect information?

What should we do when an expert witness provides incorrect information?

Friends

Don’t Be Angry with Unvaccinated Friends and Family

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on December 30, 2021

Be angry at rabbit holes, not people who fall into rabbit holes.

Be angry at rabbit holes, not people who fall into rabbit holes.

Anxiety

Why Some People Imagine Everyone Is Looking at Them

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on November 30, 2021

Do you feel like you’re constantly in the spotlight, with everyone staring at you? Or are you invisible?

Do you feel like you’re constantly in the spotlight, with everyone staring at you? Or are you invisible?

Self-Control

How to Kill a Zombie Idea

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on October 29, 2021

Halloween approaches and there are zombies everywhere. I’m wondering: How do you kill a zombie?

Halloween approaches and there are zombies everywhere. I’m wondering: How do you kill a zombie?

Environment

Why Touch Screens May Be a Bad Idea in Cars

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on September 28, 2021

I like knobs. Knobs for controlling things. And I have concerns about the increasing use of touch screens in cars. Let me explain why knobs are easier, faster, and safer.

I like knobs. Knobs for controlling things. And I have concerns about the increasing use of touch screens in cars. Let me explain why knobs are easier, faster, and safer.

Memory

Erasing Memories: Lies of Omission Can Spread Disinformation

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on August 27, 2021

Telling partial truths is an effective way to lie. How does it affect us?

Telling partial truths is an effective way to lie. How does it affect us?

Memory

Can COVID Cause Brain Fog and Cognitive Deficits?

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on July 27, 2021

Some people report continuing "brain fog" after recovering from COVID. One new study provides evidence.

Some people report continuing "brain fog" after recovering from COVID. One new study provides evidence.

Memory

Who's Convincing You to Believe Conspiracies?

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on June 29, 2021

Conspiracy theories are rampant. There is a single person who is most likely to get you to accept a conspiracy theory. Who is this villain?

Conspiracy theories are rampant. There is a single person who is most likely to get you to accept a conspiracy theory. Who is this villain?

False Memories

Can We Erase False Memories?

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on May 28, 2021

Removing false memories is difficult even when we know they're not true.

Removing false memories is difficult even when we know they're not true.

Friends

Who Tells Your Story? How We Remember Hamilton, and Ourselves

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on April 28, 2021

Who lives, who dies, who tells the stories in your family? Is the narrator in your family or set of friends changing the way you remember your life?

Who lives, who dies, who tells the stories in your family? Is the narrator in your family or set of friends changing the way you remember your life?

Friends

Is Everything a Blur? Remembering a Year of Covid

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on March 8, 2021

One year. What can you remember from one year of the Covid pandemic? Are your memories clear and complete? Or is everything a blur? Are your days blending together?

One year. What can you remember from one year of the Covid pandemic? Are your memories clear and complete? Or is everything a blur? Are your days blending together?

Shyness

Why Are Huge Snowflakes Camera Shy?

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on February 23, 2021

Is it the camera or your mind that biases the view of snowflakes?

Is it the camera or your mind that biases the view of snowflakes?