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Common Sense Science

Basic research for optimal child development.

Cognition
When Words Decide Fate

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 24, 2025

The words we choose shape how people are seen and treated. A single word can shift relationships, change systems, and even alter history.

The words we choose shape how people are seen and treated. A single word can shift relationships, change systems, and even alter history.

Memory
Do Your Photos Hold the Keys to Your Memories?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 23, 2025

Viewing personal photos may enhance memory, reinforce identity, deepen recall, and spark vivid emotional connections to moments across your life story.

Viewing personal photos may enhance memory, reinforce identity, deepen recall, and spark vivid emotional connections to moments across your life story.

Media
Why Are We Captivated by Bad News?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 19, 2025

Humans are wired to focus on bad news, amplified by media and algorithms. Mindful consumption and balanced perspectives can reduce stress and the effects of negativity bias.

Humans are wired to focus on bad news, amplified by media and algorithms. Mindful consumption and balanced perspectives can reduce stress and the effects of negativity bias.

Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injuries in the Modern Age

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 18, 2025

The skull evolved for protection against blunt force. Modern acceleration and rotational forces expose the brain to new injury risks. We must rethink brain protection strategies.

The skull evolved for protection against blunt force. Modern acceleration and rotational forces expose the brain to new injury risks. We must rethink brain protection strategies.

Relationships
Why We Need Each Other

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 17, 2025

Social connection is vital for human health. Isolation harms mental and physical well-being. Strengthening relationships through interaction and empathy fosters a fulfilling life.

Social connection is vital for human health. Isolation harms mental and physical well-being. Strengthening relationships through interaction and empathy fosters a fulfilling life.

Cognition
Why We Love a Good Mystery

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 14, 2025

Our love for mystery stems from brain chemistry, evolution, and curiosity. Engaging with mystery enhances critical thinking and adds intrigue to everyday life.

Our love for mystery stems from brain chemistry, evolution, and curiosity. Engaging with mystery enhances critical thinking and adds intrigue to everyday life.

Evolutionary Psychology
Why We All Start as Fish

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 13, 2025

Human embryos briefly exhibit traits like tails and gill-like structures, revealing our evolutionary history and deep connection to other species.

Human embryos briefly exhibit traits like tails and gill-like structures, revealing our evolutionary history and deep connection to other species.

Time Management
Why Tomorrow Seems So Far Away, Until It Arrives

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 12, 2025

Time feels slow when we wait and fast when engaged. Emotions, novelty, and biology shape our perception of time, but managing it well helps us feel more in control and present.

Time feels slow when we wait and fast when engaged. Emotions, novelty, and biology shape our perception of time, but managing it well helps us feel more in control and present.

Self-Control
Can Acting on Impulse Lead to Success?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 10, 2025

Impulsivity, often seen as reckless, has evolutionary benefits and modern applications in creativity, risk-taking, and leadership. Effectively managing it can enhance success.

Impulsivity, often seen as reckless, has evolutionary benefits and modern applications in creativity, risk-taking, and leadership. Effectively managing it can enhance success.

Long Covid
Is Long COVID Being Mistaken for Mental Illness?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 7, 2025

Long COVID’s complex symptoms often lead to psychiatric misdiagnoses, echoing past post-viral disorders. Recognition and proper care are vital to improving patient outcomes.

Long COVID’s complex symptoms often lead to psychiatric misdiagnoses, echoing past post-viral disorders. Recognition and proper care are vital to improving patient outcomes.

Laughter
Can You Imagine a World Without Laughter?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 3, 2025

A world without laughter would lead to emotional distress, weaker social connections, and declining health, making life dull and devoid of joy.

A world without laughter would lead to emotional distress, weaker social connections, and declining health, making life dull and devoid of joy.

Locus of Control
Can You Escape Your Negative Scripts?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 2, 2025

You can break free from harmful scripts by identifying, challenging, and replacing them with positive thoughts. Use mindfulness, reframing, and affirmations to rewrite your story.

You can break free from harmful scripts by identifying, challenging, and replacing them with positive thoughts. Use mindfulness, reframing, and affirmations to rewrite your story.

Evolutionary Psychology
The Mutation That Changed Everything

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 1, 2025

Self-awareness enabled human dominance, but it now threatens survival. To endure, humanity must use its intelligence responsibly to shape a sustainable and meaningful future.

Self-awareness enabled human dominance, but it now threatens survival. To endure, humanity must use its intelligence responsibly to shape a sustainable and meaningful future.

Trauma
Does Time Heal All Wounds?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on February 27, 2025

Time doesn’t heal all wounds. Intentional healing, reflection, and support are essential. Some scars fade, while others become integral to personal growth and resilience.

Time doesn’t heal all wounds. Intentional healing, reflection, and support are essential. Some scars fade, while others become integral to personal growth and resilience.

Behavioral Economics
The Trillion-Dollar Blindspot

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on February 24, 2025

We’ve become desensitized to large sums of money. Billions feel ordinary. This detachment influences wealth inequality and fiscal responsibility, necessitating a new perspective.

We’ve become desensitized to large sums of money. Billions feel ordinary. This detachment influences wealth inequality and fiscal responsibility, necessitating a new perspective.

Emotions
Why Do We Hate?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on February 22, 2025

Hate is a learned behavior, not merely an emotion. It arises from fear but can be unlearned through education, empathy, and meaningful conversations that promote understanding.

Hate is a learned behavior, not merely an emotion. It arises from fear but can be unlearned through education, empathy, and meaningful conversations that promote understanding.

Anger
The Battle Within

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on February 20, 2025

While human aggression is instinctive, fostering emotional intelligence and empathy can lead to healthier resolutions.

While human aggression is instinctive, fostering emotional intelligence and empathy can lead to healthier resolutions.

Cognition
Faith Over Facts: Navigating Life Without Absolute Proof

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on February 16, 2025

Belief shapes human thought, guiding actions, and social bonds. While it fosters resilience and innovation, it can also lead to division. Balanced skepticism helps refine beliefs.

Belief shapes human thought, guiding actions, and social bonds. While it fosters resilience and innovation, it can also lead to division. Balanced skepticism helps refine beliefs.

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Magazine
March 2025 magazine cover
March 2025
Are You Too Nice?

Being overly polite might seem kind, but it often leads to problems anyway, in relationships, with friends, and at work.

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Tests
Self Tests
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.