Ulterior Motives

Bias

Do Americans Believe Diversity Is the Enemy of Meritocracy?

Art Markman Ph.D. on July 8, 2026

There has been a backlash against diversity practices in the workplace driven by a belief that these efforts are unfair. New research explores these beliefs in the United States.

There has been a backlash against diversity practices in the workplace driven by a belief that these efforts are unfair. New research explores these beliefs in the United States.

Politics

In the United States, Political Belief Change Feels Risky

Art Markman Ph.D. on June 23, 2026

It can be hard to change beliefs on politically charged issues. New research suggests one reason why.

It can be hard to change beliefs on politically charged issues. New research suggests one reason why.

Punishment

Creative Punishments May Be Good for Minor Infractions

Art Markman Ph.D. on June 11, 2026

What kind of punishment is best for minor infractions? New research suggests that people like approaches in which the transgressor experiences some of the harm they created.

What kind of punishment is best for minor infractions? New research suggests that people like approaches in which the transgressor experiences some of the harm they created.

Social Media

People Prefer the Truth on Social Media

Art Markman Ph.D. on May 11, 2026

According to a new study, people may not be as persuaded by false statements as you might think.

According to a new study, people may not be as persuaded by false statements as you might think.

Personality

Who Do People Think They Are?

Art Markman Ph.D. on April 29, 2026

When people think about the traits that are central to who they are, what do they consider? New research explores this question.

When people think about the traits that are central to who they are, what do they consider? New research explores this question.

Social Media

It’s Helpful to Treat Sharing Fake News as a Moral Issue

Art Markman Ph.D. on April 8, 2026

Sharing of fake news is a drawback of social media. New research suggests that when people think explicitly about the ethics of sharing fake news, they are less likely to do it.

Sharing of fake news is a drawback of social media. New research suggests that when people think explicitly about the ethics of sharing fake news, they are less likely to do it.

Resilience

It Matters That Failures Are Underreported

Art Markman Ph.D. on March 19, 2026

In daily discussions and the media, we are more likely to talk about successes than failures. That bias influences how we think about failure and our support for others who fail.

In daily discussions and the media, we are more likely to talk about successes than failures. That bias influences how we think about failure and our support for others who fail.

Procrastination

Can Procrastinators Change?

Art Markman Ph.D. on March 11, 2026

Some people are procrastinators, while others are not. New research explores how this tendency changes as people get older.

Some people are procrastinators, while others are not. New research explores how this tendency changes as people get older.

Positive Psychology

Young People See Fewer Win-Win Situations Than Older People

Art Markman Ph.D. on February 25, 2026

People believe that a situation is zero-sum when one person's success entails that other people are less well-off. New research suggests believe in zero-sum changes with age.

People believe that a situation is zero-sum when one person's success entails that other people are less well-off. New research suggests believe in zero-sum changes with age.

Neuroticism

Why Do Neurotic People Have So Many Negative Feelings?

Art Markman Ph.D. on February 11, 2026

Research suggests that high neuroticism (compared to low) leads people to experience more negative and less positive feelings. A new study suggest why that happens.

Research suggests that high neuroticism (compared to low) leads people to experience more negative and less positive feelings. A new study suggest why that happens.

Cognition

Beliefs About a Person’s True Self Affects Our Evaluations

Art Markman Ph.D. on January 31, 2026

When people experience a decision conflict, we make judgments about which of their preferences reflects their "true self." New research explores this concept.

When people experience a decision conflict, we make judgments about which of their preferences reflects their "true self." New research explores this concept.

Education

Can Good Learners Judge How Well They Learned?

Art Markman Ph.D. on October 1, 2025

You need to judge what you have learned to decide how hard to work on learning that material in the future. How accurate are those judgments?

You need to judge what you have learned to decide how hard to work on learning that material in the future. How accurate are those judgments?

Dunning-Kruger Effect

Using Chess to Study Overconfidence

Art Markman Ph.D. on September 24, 2025

A new study on chess players explored people's overconfidence in a domain with clear measures of performance and the opportunity for people to get feedback.

A new study on chess players explored people's overconfidence in a domain with clear measures of performance and the opportunity for people to get feedback.

Motivation

How Does Your Motivation Affect the Achievement of Goals?

Art Markman Ph.D. on September 12, 2025

People often set goals to achieve (like New Year's resolutions). New research explores the influence of internal and external motivation in choosing and fulfilling goals.

People often set goals to achieve (like New Year's resolutions). New research explores the influence of internal and external motivation in choosing and fulfilling goals.

Memory

Social Interaction Affects Memory

Art Markman Ph.D. on September 8, 2025

Among the many types of information your memory system uses to decide what to remember, new research suggests social interaction influences what you learn.

Among the many types of information your memory system uses to decide what to remember, new research suggests social interaction influences what you learn.

Forgiveness

The Emotional Benefits of Forgiveness

Art Markman Ph.D. on August 27, 2025

There is a real benefit to forgiveness; it affects your memory and your reaction to your memory of past events. New research explores this effect.

There is a real benefit to forgiveness; it affects your memory and your reaction to your memory of past events. New research explores this effect.

Attention

Monitoring Performance Slows the Perception of Progress

Art Markman Ph.D. on June 24, 2025

You have likely heard the saying “A watched pot never boils.” Does paying attention to something actually decrease your sense of progress?

You have likely heard the saying “A watched pot never boils.” Does paying attention to something actually decrease your sense of progress?

Social Media

How Your Values Affect What You Share on Social Media

Art Markman Ph.D. on June 11, 2025

It is important to understand the factors that drive the sharing of misinformation on social media. Research explores how people's values affect sharing.

It is important to understand the factors that drive the sharing of misinformation on social media. Research explores how people's values affect sharing.

Motivation

Incentives and Discovery

Art Markman Ph.D. on June 3, 2025

There are lots of benefits to promoting discoveries. Can incentives be used to make people more likely to make discoveries?

There are lots of benefits to promoting discoveries. Can incentives be used to make people more likely to make discoveries?

Social Media

Extreme Weather Can Increase Social Media Use

Art Markman Ph.D. on March 19, 2025

There isn't much research on factors that drive social media research. For example, does an external factor like the weather matter? A new study suggests it does.

There isn't much research on factors that drive social media research. For example, does an external factor like the weather matter? A new study suggests it does.