Verified by Psychology Today

What Shapes Film?

Elements of the Cinematic Experience and More

Understanding Twins
Puddle Week Viral Videos

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on January 8, 2016

It's "PUDDLE week" in the world of viral videos... just in time to brighten up our first week back after the holidays!

It's "PUDDLE week" in the world of viral videos... just in time to brighten up our first week back after the holidays!

Law and Crime
Reflections on 'Making a Murderer'

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on January 1, 2016

'Making a Murderer'. Surely life, people, and motives are more complicated and undefined than the story in any opening or closing argument or documentary can contain?

'Making a Murderer'. Surely life, people, and motives are more complicated and undefined than the story in any opening or closing argument or documentary can contain?

Understanding Twins
We Got Rhythm, We Got Music (Three Viral Videos)

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on December 5, 2014

If you're a fan of the "7 Up" films, which tracks the lives of fourteen people every seven years, you might be as enchanted as I was by these three videos of twin girls who were filmed every August for three years - as they listened to their Daddy playing guitar. (The last one was released just a few months ago).

If you're a fan of the "7 Up" films, which tracks the lives of fourteen people every seven years, you might be as enchanted as I was by these three videos of twin girls who were filmed every August for three years - as they listened to their Daddy playing guitar. (The last one was released just a few months ago).

Play
Rolling Through Time (Evocative Animated Short)

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on September 25, 2014

This evocative animation short will probably be interpreted differently by each viewer. Our impression may reflect where each of us is in our life journey.

This evocative animation short will probably be interpreted differently by each viewer. Our impression may reflect where each of us is in our life journey.

Media
OK Go: Is the Writing on the Wall?

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on June 25, 2014

OK Go's latest music video is a brilliant feat, and their newly-released 'behind the scenes' video is most intriguing. But is there anything significant about the date that the TWOTW video was released?

OK Go's latest music video is a brilliant feat, and their newly-released 'behind the scenes' video is most intriguing. But is there anything significant about the date that the TWOTW video was released?

Cognition
Why You Can’t Take a Pigeon to the Movies

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on June 23, 2014

Birds have a remarkable ability to process moving stimuli, which makes them excellent hunters and evasive targets. But it makes them poor companions at the movie theater.

Birds have a remarkable ability to process moving stimuli, which makes them excellent hunters and evasive targets. But it makes them poor companions at the movie theater.

Memes
Mini Maestro Mystifies Me: What About You?

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on April 2, 2014

A recent viral video shows a toddler who's "conducting" music with emotional intensity and at least the semblance of deep musical sensitivity. I thought I knew how to explain it, but am left perplexed.

A recent viral video shows a toddler who's "conducting" music with emotional intensity and at least the semblance of deep musical sensitivity. I thought I knew how to explain it, but am left perplexed.

Attention
Splash! What Kids Discover in a Puddle

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on March 25, 2014

What better way to celebrate Spring and the joy of life than to stomp in puddles? A child psychologist's top 8 picks for best YouTube videos of children's first encounters with puddles and what we learn from them.

What better way to celebrate Spring and the joy of life than to stomp in puddles? A child psychologist's top 8 picks for best YouTube videos of children's first encounters with puddles and what we learn from them.

Play
Video Games: Do You Play Better With the Sound On or Off?

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on February 5, 2014

When playing video games, do you play better with the sound on or off? What have video game researchers found? And what's the secret to boosting your scores?

When playing video games, do you play better with the sound on or off? What have video game researchers found? And what's the secret to boosting your scores?

Memes
Why Do Polar Bear Cubs (and Babies) Crawl Backwards?

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on January 13, 2014

This video of an adorable polar bear cub's first steps has gone VIRAL! I noticed that like many human infants' early attempts at locomotion, the cub is crawling backwards! How can we explain this? Why do many young ones among four-limbed species initially crawl backwards before they crawl forwards?

This video of an adorable polar bear cub's first steps has gone VIRAL! I noticed that like many human infants' early attempts at locomotion, the cub is crawling backwards! How can we explain this? Why do many young ones among four-limbed species initially crawl backwards before they crawl forwards?

Cognition
Landfill Harmonic: Lessons in Improvisation

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on November 26, 2013

What would you do with discarded cookie tins, an old piece of wood, and a fork? How about making a violin? What could you make with a water pipe, shirt buttons, and a spoon? What about a flute? In Cateura, Paraguay, they're turning trash into an orchestra, and transforming the lives of children with music ...

What would you do with discarded cookie tins, an old piece of wood, and a fork? How about making a violin? What could you make with a water pipe, shirt buttons, and a spoon? What about a flute? In Cateura, Paraguay, they're turning trash into an orchestra, and transforming the lives of children with music ...

Play
3 Reasons Why We're Drawn to Faces in Film

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on November 20, 2013

Why are we so drawn to faces in film? And what role does our strong attraction to faces play in the emotional journey of an absorbing movie? Here are 3 reasons why the human face is so compelling in film, up close and personal...

Why are we so drawn to faces in film? And what role does our strong attraction to faces play in the emotional journey of an absorbing movie? Here are 3 reasons why the human face is so compelling in film, up close and personal...

Cognition
How Film Music Shapes the Storyline

Siu-Lan Tan Ph.D. on October 30, 2013

What happens when you pair one film scene with three musical soundtracks—and ask the audience to judge tension, relationship between characters, intentions of characters, romantic interest in the other character, and other aspects of the unfolding storyline? We found that each of the three soundtracks created its own narrative, essentially telling a different story...

What happens when you pair one film scene with three musical soundtracks—and ask the audience to judge tension, relationship between characters, intentions of characters, romantic interest in the other character, and other aspects of the unfolding storyline? We found that each of the three soundtracks created its own narrative, essentially telling a different story...