Verified by Psychology Today

Is "To Warn or Not to Warn" the Right Question?

Ultimately, it seems to me that content warnings—and arguments about them—are an intellectual response to intensely emotional experiences.

Ultimately, it seems to me that content warnings—and arguments about them—are an intellectual response to intensely emotional experiences.

Why Run-of-the-Mill Rewards Might Lose Their Appeal

New research may help explain why rare, seemingly out-of-this-world rewards trigger a more intense neurobiological response than more probable rewards.

New research may help explain why rare, seemingly out-of-this-world rewards trigger a more intense neurobiological response than more probable rewards.

Breaking Bread Together Leads Negotiators to Better Outcomes

In many cultures, a ritual of "breaking bread" precedes important negotiations. A new study has found that eating together can produce better outcomes for both parties.

In many cultures, a ritual of "breaking bread" precedes important negotiations. A new study has found that eating together can produce better outcomes for both parties.

The "I Remember" Memory Technique

Brainard's method offers a model for documenting personal accounts of the uncertainties, daily realities, and coping strategies that define individual and collective life in 2020.

Brainard's method offers a model for documenting personal accounts of the uncertainties, daily realities, and coping strategies that define individual and collective life in 2020.

Contextual Cues for Predatory Targeting

Seeking the same type of victim offers mental cues that improve the predator's speed and efficiency.

Seeking the same type of victim offers mental cues that improve the predator's speed and efficiency.

When Is It Reasonable to Kill?

What is "reasonable" often depends on the pre-existing biases of the perceiver. This presents a legal dilemma for claims for self-defense.

What is "reasonable" often depends on the pre-existing biases of the perceiver. This presents a legal dilemma for claims for self-defense.

On Being 'a Voter' in the 2020 U.S. Election

After two apparent failures to replicate, evidence for a simple voter-turnout intervention resurfaces. I retrace the steps of this controversy to find out what we have learned.

After two apparent failures to replicate, evidence for a simple voter-turnout intervention resurfaces. I retrace the steps of this controversy to find out what we have learned.

Wear a Mask—For Mom

Sixteen years ago, my mother spent what would turn out to be her last Mother’s Day in a hospital, recovering from the effects of yet another failed round of chemotherapy.

Sixteen years ago, my mother spent what would turn out to be her last Mother’s Day in a hospital, recovering from the effects of yet another failed round of chemotherapy.

The Joker's Mirror: Stories for Staring Safely into the Sun?

What purpose is there in depicting a fictional murderer, possibly including a look at such a character's humanity? Is it better than running the risk of glamorizing a real killer?

What purpose is there in depicting a fictional murderer, possibly including a look at such a character's humanity? Is it better than running the risk of glamorizing a real killer?

Fiddling Around With Greta

Was this film inspired by the world's most prolific serial killer? There are too many similarities to ignore.

Was this film inspired by the world's most prolific serial killer? There are too many similarities to ignore.

How Childhood Trauma Makes Us Vulnerable to Abuse

Trauma and abuse lower our self-worth, making us vulnerable to abusive relationships that reinforce false, negative beliefs.

Trauma and abuse lower our self-worth, making us vulnerable to abusive relationships that reinforce false, negative beliefs.

When Children Say #MeToo

There are so many internal and external factors that prevent children from talking about sexual abuse. When they do, our initial reaction is critical.

There are so many internal and external factors that prevent children from talking about sexual abuse. When they do, our initial reaction is critical.

When Do Attempts to Counter Gender Stereotypes Backfire?

An anthology of influential women may not be the consciousness-raising holiday gift you intend it to be if it inadvertently reinforces gender stereotypes.

An anthology of influential women may not be the consciousness-raising holiday gift you intend it to be if it inadvertently reinforces gender stereotypes.

We All Have Racial Bias

Are you aware of the racial biases you've learned over a lifetime in this culture? Here are a few tips for changing those biases over time.

Are you aware of the racial biases you've learned over a lifetime in this culture? Here are a few tips for changing those biases over time.

Top 7 Study Tips for Excelling in School

Do you know someone who is struggling in their studies? Share this article, and give them some help.

Do you know someone who is struggling in their studies? Share this article, and give them some help.

Forensic Hypnosis: More Cons than Pros?

Outdated ideas about human memory have maintained the use of hypnosis in forensic contexts; scientific research raises doubts.

Outdated ideas about human memory have maintained the use of hypnosis in forensic contexts; scientific research raises doubts.

Break Through to a Breakthrough

Acting out figurative expressions of creativity can literally make us more creative.

Acting out figurative expressions of creativity can literally make us more creative.

What Is the Relationship Between Creativity and Culture?

New studies find that cultural values appear to play no role in the generation of ideas, but an important role in the development of creative products.

New studies find that cultural values appear to play no role in the generation of ideas, but an important role in the development of creative products.

Memory Malleability: A Secret of the Ooze

Memory is essential and yet a terrible, unreliable thing. Recollection errors cast doubt on the value of eyewitness testimony, as both Elizabeth Loftus and Daredevil know well.

Memory is essential and yet a terrible, unreliable thing. Recollection errors cast doubt on the value of eyewitness testimony, as both Elizabeth Loftus and Daredevil know well.

Media Coverage Can Change Minds

Identifying as American may be a key factor in how you respond to coverage of Trump's policies.

Identifying as American may be a key factor in how you respond to coverage of Trump's policies.

Our Memory Quirks: Are They for Us or against Us?

What if your recollections turned out to be false? Here's a book that tutors you on how your memory works (and doesn't).

What if your recollections turned out to be false? Here's a book that tutors you on how your memory works (and doesn't).

The Math Whiz and the Psychologists

A mathematical genius offered a formula for creativity to a group of psychologists a century before we could prove it with research.

A mathematical genius offered a formula for creativity to a group of psychologists a century before we could prove it with research.

The Many Ways of Saying, and Hearing, "I'm Sorry"

A recent neuroimaging study demonstrates that the different types of voice information contained in the sentences we speak and hear are processed through different neural pathways.

A recent neuroimaging study demonstrates that the different types of voice information contained in the sentences we speak and hear are processed through different neural pathways.