Mind, Brain, and Value

The hidden forces that shape how and what we buy

Consumer Behavior
The Psychology of Pricing

Matt Johnson Ph.D. on January 13, 2025

Melina Palmer’s "The Truth About Pricing" reveals how psychology drives pricing, helping businesses shift focus from numbers to value, storytelling, and buyers' sense of self.

Melina Palmer’s "The Truth About Pricing" reveals how psychology drives pricing, helping businesses shift focus from numbers to value, storytelling, and buyers' sense of self.

Serendipity entails a special feeling of randomness
Cognition
The Surprising Psychology of Serendipity

Matt Johnson Ph.D. on September 10, 2024

When presented with an inexplicable chain of events, the brain will create its own explanation. And when those events are positive, we may experience serendipity.

When presented with an inexplicable chain of events, the brain will create its own explanation. And when those events are positive, we may experience serendipity.

Communication is ultimately about converging brain states
Neuroscience
How Two Brains Synchronize in Conversation

Matt Johnson Ph.D. on May 16, 2024

What enables effective, accurate communication? It comes down to the similarity of two brains during communication, a phenomenon known as neural coupling.

What enables effective, accurate communication? It comes down to the similarity of two brains during communication, a phenomenon known as neural coupling.

Heuristics
The Psychology of Lumping and Splitting

Matt Johnson Ph.D. on March 25, 2024

How do we make sense of new experiences? Ultimately, it's about how we categorize them—which we often do by "lumping" or "splitting" them.

How do we make sense of new experiences? Ultimately, it's about how we categorize them—which we often do by "lumping" or "splitting" them.

Cognition
The Psychology of Death Rituals

Matt Johnson Ph.D. on March 20, 2023

Throughout time and across cultures, it's relatively rare for there to be a strict divide between life and death. How do death rituals impact our attitudes toward the dead?

Throughout time and across cultures, it's relatively rare for there to be a strict divide between life and death. How do death rituals impact our attitudes toward the dead?

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Magazine
May 2025 magazine cover
May 2025
Why Your Quirks Are Your Superpowers

The brightest way to shine is by being fully, imperfectly yourself.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.