Essential Reads

Mindfulness

If You're Not Your Thoughts, Who Are You?

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on March 28, 2023 in Living Forward

Many people are confused by the idea that we are not our thoughts. Find out who you really are and how to be more connected to this authentic self.

Many people are confused by the idea that we are not our thoughts. Find out who you really are and how to be more connected to this authentic self.

Psych Careers

Solo or Group Practice: Which Is Right for You?

Logan P. Jones Psy.D on March 28, 2023 in The Clarity of Therapy

Have you ever dreamed of working for yourself or running your own group practice? Evaluate your "why" to ensure you're making the leap for the right reasons.

Have you ever dreamed of working for yourself or running your own group practice? Evaluate your "why" to ensure you're making the leap for the right reasons.

Perfectionism

The Difference Between Perfectionism and Healthy Striving

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on March 28, 2023 in Growing Friendships

Rigid, unrelenting perfectionism makes people miserable, yet they often cling to it, believing it's necessary for productivity.

Rigid, unrelenting perfectionism makes people miserable, yet they often cling to it, believing it's necessary for productivity.

Cognition

How to Keep Yourself Engaging

Bill Birchard on March 27, 2023 in Writing For Impact

Psychologists and neuroscientists investigating the “science” of writing have a surprise: You can win readers over by appealing to their reward circuits.

Psychologists and neuroscientists investigating the “science” of writing have a surprise: You can win readers over by appealing to their reward circuits.

Bias

Decoding the Fundamental Attribution Error

Jessica Koehler Ph.D. on March 27, 2023 in Beyond School Walls

Misinterpreting others' behavior can negatively shape our relationships, decisions, and perspectives. Here's what we can do about it.

Misinterpreting others' behavior can negatively shape our relationships, decisions, and perspectives. Here's what we can do about it.

Psychopathy

What Gender Does—and Doesn't—Tell Us About Psychopathy

Jonathan Doucette Ph.D. on March 27, 2023 in The Couch Potato Plato

Do female psychopaths behave differently than male psychopaths? Here's what gender studies can do to help answer this question.

Do female psychopaths behave differently than male psychopaths? Here's what gender studies can do to help answer this question.

Attention

Why Faces Look Distorted in Our Periphery

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Illusions, Delusions, and Reality

Something strange happens when a sequence of faces flashes quickly in our peripheral vision. Here's what researchers think might be going on.

Something strange happens when a sequence of faces flashes quickly in our peripheral vision. Here's what researchers think might be going on.

Animal Behavior

Do Chimps Recognize Others’ Disabilities?

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii Ph.D. on March 26, 2023 in Wild Cousins

Chimpanzees have the opportunity to adjust their behavior for others with physical limitations. Do they take it?

Chimpanzees have the opportunity to adjust their behavior for others with physical limitations. Do they take it?

Self-Esteem

Can Beauty Filters Damage Your Self-Esteem?

Tara Well Ph.D. on March 25, 2023 in The Clarity

Creating the perfect online image often comes at a cost, yet it's possible to use digital filters and photo editing tools more mindfully. Here's how.

Creating the perfect online image often comes at a cost, yet it's possible to use digital filters and photo editing tools more mindfully. Here's how.

Academic Problems and Skills

When Teachers Learn Better, Students Do Better

Ulrich Boser on March 25, 2023 in The Social Trust

How teachers feel is important, but so is how they teach.

How teachers feel is important, but so is how they teach.

Singlehood

Solo, No Kids: What About Work-Life Balance?

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on March 25, 2023 in Living Single

There are important misunderstandings about how people who live alone and have no kids spend their time outside of work, and how valuable that time is.

There are important misunderstandings about how people who live alone and have no kids spend their time outside of work, and how valuable that time is.

Intuition

The Dangers of Intuition

Carlos Alós-Ferrer Ph.D. on March 24, 2023 in Decisions and the Brain

Don't trust your gut.

Don't trust your gut.

Chronic Illness

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Has a Bacterial Signature

Scott C. Anderson on March 24, 2023 in Mood by Microbe

ME/CFS is a devastating disease that is sadly understudied. Recently, two studies found a connection with gut microbes. What does this mean for ME/CFS patients?

ME/CFS is a devastating disease that is sadly understudied. Recently, two studies found a connection with gut microbes. What does this mean for ME/CFS patients?

Relationships

Older Women Who Date Younger Men Are More Satisfied

Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. on March 23, 2023 in The Myths of Sex

Although age-gap relationships featuring an older women with a younger man have been subject to stigma and scrutiny, the women in these relationships appear to be thriving.

Although age-gap relationships featuring an older women with a younger man have been subject to stigma and scrutiny, the women in these relationships appear to be thriving.

Anger

Are Humans Inherently Warlike?

Nigel Barber Ph.D. on March 23, 2023 in The Human Beast

Anthropologists studying the Yanomami tribe inhabiting the banks of the Orinoco River in South America concluded that they were selected for warfare.

Anthropologists studying the Yanomami tribe inhabiting the banks of the Orinoco River in South America concluded that they were selected for warfare.

Burnout

Just Say No to Constant Hustling

Gillian McCann, Ph.D., and Gitte Bechsgaard, RP on March 23, 2023 in Return to Stillness

Sometimes doing nothing is best.

Sometimes doing nothing is best.

Psychosis

Mass Shootings and Mental Illness: Which Research Is Right?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on March 22, 2023 in Shadow Boxing

Comprehensive studies vary on the impact of serious mental illness on mass shootings, but all agree that it's lower than the public believes.

Comprehensive studies vary on the impact of serious mental illness on mass shootings, but all agree that it's lower than the public believes.

Attention

Don't Got Rhythm? What It Means to Be Beat Deaf

Ainsley Hawthorn Ph.D. on March 22, 2023 in The Sensory Revolution

The inability to move in sync with music has been linked with other surprising deficits, like dyslexia and a reduced ability to pay attention to other people.

The inability to move in sync with music has been linked with other surprising deficits, like dyslexia and a reduced ability to pay attention to other people.

Attachment

Psychology Has a Language Problem, and It Could Hurt Clients

Nancy Darling Ph.D. on March 22, 2023 in Thinking About Kids

When clinicians use technical language that wounds like everyday speech, they can misunderstand their clients and their clients can misunderstand them.

When clinicians use technical language that wounds like everyday speech, they can misunderstand their clients and their clients can misunderstand them.

Career

The Executive-Worker Pay Gap Isn't Without Consequences

Trevor Watkins Ph.D. on March 21, 2023 in Work Smarter, Not Harder

In the last 45 years, executives have enjoyed inflation-adjusted, quadruple-digit pay increases. Meanwhile, some workers' pay has gone down over time.

In the last 45 years, executives have enjoyed inflation-adjusted, quadruple-digit pay increases. Meanwhile, some workers' pay has gone down over time.