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Modern Minds

Fresh Takes on Society, Culture, and the Science of Personality

Education
How Your Brain Uses 3 Pathways to Knowledge

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 31, 2024

Psychology, like other disciplines, uses the scientific method to acquire knowledge and uncover truths—but we still ask experts for information and rely on intuition. Here's why.

Psychology, like other disciplines, uses the scientific method to acquire knowledge and uncover truths—but we still ask experts for information and rely on intuition. Here's why.

Mating
Mate Poaching: Social Taboo or Healthy Way to Find Love?

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 29, 2024

Mate poaching, a phenomenon in which individuals attempt to lure others already in a committed relationship, represents a complex interplay of psychological factors.

Mate poaching, a phenomenon in which individuals attempt to lure others already in a committed relationship, represents a complex interplay of psychological factors.

Anger
Did Anger Evolve to Make Us Happy?

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 20, 2024

The recalibration theory of anger explores anger from an adaptationist's perspective. This view sees anger as a specially designed behavioral solution to an adaptive problem.

The recalibration theory of anger explores anger from an adaptationist's perspective. This view sees anger as a specially designed behavioral solution to an adaptive problem.

Authenticity
Could Too Much Nostalgia Be Bad for Us?

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 31, 2023

We love the emotional comfort that yearning for the past provides. But indulging in nostalgia too often might be holding us back.

We love the emotional comfort that yearning for the past provides. But indulging in nostalgia too often might be holding us back.

Parenting
The 7 Mistakes Parents Who Overparent Make

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 21, 2023

How do you know if you are overparenting? It turns out that making mistakes and even failing a bit is OK for kids. It's a normal and necessary part of healthy development.

How do you know if you are overparenting? It turns out that making mistakes and even failing a bit is OK for kids. It's a normal and necessary part of healthy development.

Relationships
14 Key Lessons From Research on Kissing

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 29, 2023

Is being a good kisser really that important? New research shows there's a lot more to the science behind kissing than we knew; these simple steps will help you to improve.

Is being a good kisser really that important? New research shows there's a lot more to the science behind kissing than we knew; these simple steps will help you to improve.

Social Life
Hello, Stranger: Overcoming the Fear of New Conversations

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 27, 2023

Research shows that too many people kill conversations before they even begin, simply because starting one is scary. Here are 5 steps to having good conversations with strangers.

Research shows that too many people kill conversations before they even begin, simply because starting one is scary. Here are 5 steps to having good conversations with strangers.

Media
The Trouble With Trigger Warnings in a Dangerous World

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 20, 2023

The earliest trigger warnings can be traced back to the 1970s, but today we are in the middle of a health debate about the efficacy of these alerts. Are they always good for us?

The earliest trigger warnings can be traced back to the 1970s, but today we are in the middle of a health debate about the efficacy of these alerts. Are they always good for us?

Anxiety
5 Simple Steps to Retrain Your Over-Analyzing Mind

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on June 10, 2023

There is a difference between healthy critical thinking and an unhealthy obsession with options. Here are five easy steps to help you stay on the right path.

There is a difference between healthy critical thinking and an unhealthy obsession with options. Here are five easy steps to help you stay on the right path.

Anxiety
3 Ways to Overcome Anxiety in Decision-Making

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on May 22, 2023

Research on choice overload shows that having too many options may cause an unexpected rise in anxiety. Here are three ways to deal with the fear and stress of decision-making.

Research on choice overload shows that having too many options may cause an unexpected rise in anxiety. Here are three ways to deal with the fear and stress of decision-making.

Anger
7 Rules for De-escalating Conflicts

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on May 18, 2023

In a world filled with triggers, conflict is unavoidable. Here are 7 science-based rules to minimize anger and de-escalate stressful situations.

In a world filled with triggers, conflict is unavoidable. Here are 7 science-based rules to minimize anger and de-escalate stressful situations.

Sport and Competition
March Madness Brackets for Bonding

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 27, 2023

The brain science of romantic love shows how NCAA March Madness brackets can be a good way to boost relationship satisfaction when couples keep it a fun, friendly competition.

The brain science of romantic love shows how NCAA March Madness brackets can be a good way to boost relationship satisfaction when couples keep it a fun, friendly competition.

Happiness
The Worst Way to Think About Happiness and Sadness

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 10, 2023

Happiness and sadness are complex, multi-dimensional emotions that are influenced by a variety of factors, but research shows they are not opposites.

Happiness and sadness are complex, multi-dimensional emotions that are influenced by a variety of factors, but research shows they are not opposites.

Career
The Worst Way to Use Your Time

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on February 5, 2023

When it comes to daily routines, there are endless possibilities. Here are some strategies for maximizing your time and improving your quality of life along the way.

When it comes to daily routines, there are endless possibilities. Here are some strategies for maximizing your time and improving your quality of life along the way.

Stress
10 Good Reasons to Keep a Journal

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on January 31, 2023

Stressed? Anxious? Need a boost in creativity? Try keeping a diary. By making this part of your daily routine, you can enhance mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Stressed? Anxious? Need a boost in creativity? Try keeping a diary. By making this part of your daily routine, you can enhance mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Stress
3 Keys to Managing Stress in Your Marriage

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on January 3, 2023

When romantic partners are under stress, the relationship can suffer too. Here are three ways stress reduction can help you, your partner, and your marriage.

When romantic partners are under stress, the relationship can suffer too. Here are three ways stress reduction can help you, your partner, and your marriage.

Alcoholism
2 Simple, Powerful Ways to Cut Alcohol Consumption

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 31, 2022

Addiction researchers have identified two simple, but effective, strategies for reducing alcohol that emphasize "why" change is important and "how" to actually do it.

Addiction researchers have identified two simple, but effective, strategies for reducing alcohol that emphasize "why" change is important and "how" to actually do it.