Brain Wise

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Meditation
The Art and Science of Doing Nothing

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on May 1, 2019

"Niksen" is the Dutch idea of doing nothing. Maybe the key to a better life is having more niksen in your daily routine.

"Niksen" is the Dutch idea of doing nothing. Maybe the key to a better life is having more niksen in your daily routine.

Habit Formation
The Science of Habits

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on April 19, 2019

Trying to create some new habits or change old ones? It may be easier than you think.

Trying to create some new habits or change old ones? It may be easier than you think.

Imposter Syndrome
Have You Experienced the Imposter Syndrome?

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on March 19, 2018

Are you afraid that the people you work with or go to school with will find out that you don't deserve to be there? You may have fallen prey to the Imposter Syndrome.

Are you afraid that the people you work with or go to school with will find out that you don't deserve to be there? You may have fallen prey to the Imposter Syndrome.

Dopamine
The Dopamine Seeking-Reward Loop

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on February 28, 2018

Why is it so hard to stop scrolling on my smartphone social media feeds?

Why is it so hard to stop scrolling on my smartphone social media feeds?

Decision-Making
iPhone X: Yes Or No?

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on September 16, 2017

Whether or not you buy the new iPhone X depends in part on whether you are making a habit based decision or a value based decision.

Whether or not you buy the new iPhone X depends in part on whether you are making a habit based decision or a value based decision.

Career
The Science of Why New Year's Resolutions Don't Work

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on December 19, 2016

If you've tried to make and keep New Year's resolutions in the past without success, maybe you need to learn the science behind behavior change before you try again.

If you've tried to make and keep New Year's resolutions in the past without success, maybe you need to learn the science behind behavior change before you try again.

Creativity
Myths About Creativity

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on June 23, 2016

Are some people more creative than others? Here are some of the truths and myths about creativity.

Are some people more creative than others? Here are some of the truths and myths about creativity.

Depression
Emotions Are Contagious

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on June 1, 2016

If you spend time around happy people you will tend to be happy. If you spend time around depressed people you will start to feel depressed. Emotions ARE contagious.

If you spend time around happy people you will tend to be happy. If you spend time around depressed people you will start to feel depressed. Emotions ARE contagious.

Imposter Syndrome
The Imposter Syndrome

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on May 25, 2016

Are you one of the 70% of people that have "Imposter Syndrome"?

Are you one of the 70% of people that have "Imposter Syndrome"?

Empathy
Great Stories Release Brain Chemicals

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on May 13, 2016

Why do some stories resonate with us? And why do we remember some stories and forget others? Research shows that some aspects of stories release brain chemicals.

Why do some stories resonate with us? And why do we remember some stories and forget others? Research shows that some aspects of stories release brain chemicals.

Laughter
Laughter Helps Us Learn

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on January 26, 2016

Laughter releases neurochemicals in the brain that help you learn -- even toddlers learn more when they laugh.

Laughter releases neurochemicals in the brain that help you learn -- even toddlers learn more when they laugh.

Dopamine
Shopping, Dopamine, and Anticipation

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on October 22, 2015

Dopamine creates excitement when you shop. But which creates more excitement: Online or in-store shopping?

Dopamine creates excitement when you shop. But which creates more excitement: Online or in-store shopping?

Gender
Age, Gender, Geography And Visual Appeal

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on October 5, 2015

What makes people prefer one type of visual design, for example, a website design, over another? How much do age, gender, and geography or culture have to do with it?

What makes people prefer one type of visual design, for example, a website design, over another? How much do age, gender, and geography or culture have to do with it?

Unconscious
The Best Way to Process Big Data Is Unconsciously

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on October 1, 2015

The conscious mind can handle only a small subset of data at one time, but the unconscious is great at taking in large amounts of data and finding patterns. If you want to see the patterns in big data, you have to engage the unconscious.

The conscious mind can handle only a small subset of data at one time, but the unconscious is great at taking in large amounts of data and finding patterns. If you want to see the patterns in big data, you have to engage the unconscious.

Media
People Read Only 60% Of An Online Article

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D. on September 28, 2015

How much of these Psychology Today articles, or any articles are you actually reading? New data shows that the most people read is 60%, and that you can't assume that if people shared an article that they actually read it.

How much of these Psychology Today articles, or any articles are you actually reading? New data shows that the most people read is 60%, and that you can't assume that if people shared an article that they actually read it.

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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.

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