Stretching Theory

Procrastination

Pre-crastination and the Science of Doing Too Much, Too Soon

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on January 15, 2025

Why do some people tackle tasks too soon? Here is the science behind pre-crastination, as well as tips to balance productivity without overdoing it.

Why do some people tackle tasks too soon? Here is the science behind pre-crastination, as well as tips to balance productivity without overdoing it.

Social Life

The Surprising Psychology of Holiday Decorations

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on December 6, 2024

Twinkling lights and festive wreaths during the holidays aren’t just decorations—they communicate messages about the homeowners. What does your home say about you?

Twinkling lights and festive wreaths during the holidays aren’t just decorations—they communicate messages about the homeowners. What does your home say about you?

Boredom

Are Digital Media Boring?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on November 14, 2024

Research suggests that boredom is on the rise, and digital media could be to blame.

Research suggests that boredom is on the rise, and digital media could be to blame.

Bias

A World in Decline? Things Were Better in the Good Old Days

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on October 16, 2024

Basking in rosy memories of what used to be while worrying about a gloomy future? Declinism is a common tendency that may be fuelled by news reporting and political agendas.

Basking in rosy memories of what used to be while worrying about a gloomy future? Declinism is a common tendency that may be fuelled by news reporting and political agendas.

Artificial Intelligence

Myth-Busting Chatbots: Can AI Dispel Conspiracy Beliefs?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on September 17, 2024

Conspiracy beliefs are common. Saving people from the “conspiratorial rabbit hole” is difficult, but AI might offer surprising solutions.

Conspiracy beliefs are common. Saving people from the “conspiratorial rabbit hole” is difficult, but AI might offer surprising solutions.

Cognition

Bye Versus Buy: Can Word Sound Affect Our Choices?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on August 30, 2024

What comes to mind when you read the word “bye”? If you're thinking of shopping, you’re not alone. The bye-now effect evidences the power of similar-sounding words.

What comes to mind when you read the word “bye”? If you're thinking of shopping, you’re not alone. The bye-now effect evidences the power of similar-sounding words.

Cognition

How Metaphors Shape Our Thinking

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on July 22, 2024

Changing the metaphors we use can change how we make sense of and perceive the world.

Changing the metaphors we use can change how we make sense of and perceive the world.

Social Media

How to Guard Yourself Against Fake News

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on June 26, 2024

What type of online media user are you? Reflecting on your engagement with online news contents could identify vulnerabilities to fake news and build resistance to misinformation.

What type of online media user are you? Reflecting on your engagement with online news contents could identify vulnerabilities to fake news and build resistance to misinformation.

Behavioral Economics

6 Types of Nudges Can Affect Your Choices

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on June 3, 2024

There are six different ways in which our choice environment might sway or “nudge” our decisions. Which is most powerful?

There are six different ways in which our choice environment might sway or “nudge” our decisions. Which is most powerful?

Cognition

“What If” Thinking Could Improve Our Choices

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on May 1, 2024

Considering how things might have turned out differently has important implications for evaluating our choices and improving future decisions.

Considering how things might have turned out differently has important implications for evaluating our choices and improving future decisions.

Diet

How to Make Better Food Choices

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on March 27, 2024

How many food choices do you make each day? Research suggests the number may be as high as 226! Increased awareness of those choices could change your eating habits for the better.

How many food choices do you make each day? Research suggests the number may be as high as 226! Increased awareness of those choices could change your eating habits for the better.

Decision-Making

Should You Listen to Your Gut?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on February 22, 2024

Do you consider decision-making to be a necessary chore? Think again. Intuitive gut decisions could help to lift your mood.

Do you consider decision-making to be a necessary chore? Think again. Intuitive gut decisions could help to lift your mood.

Optimism

Can Optimism Help Us Reach Our Goals?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on January 15, 2024

The right level of optimism could help us reach goals and promote well-being.

The right level of optimism could help us reach goals and promote well-being.

Cognition

People Judge Poetic Language as More Truthful

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on December 27, 2023

If our words are a delight, people think we are right. Research shows that rhyming language can influence how people perceive information.

If our words are a delight, people think we are right. Research shows that rhyming language can influence how people perceive information.

Guilt

What's the Perfect Gift?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on November 25, 2023

Are you feeling the pressure of holiday gift-giving? The psychology of financial decision-making highlights the importance of emotions such as guilt when choosing gifts.

Are you feeling the pressure of holiday gift-giving? The psychology of financial decision-making highlights the importance of emotions such as guilt when choosing gifts.

Altruism

The Paradox of Compassion

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on November 1, 2023

Charitable donations spike at this time of year. But something known as "compassion fade" could misdirect our holiday generosity to less-worthy causes. Here's how.

Charitable donations spike at this time of year. But something known as "compassion fade" could misdirect our holiday generosity to less-worthy causes. Here's how.

Self-Control

Is Decision Fatigue Real?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on September 28, 2023

Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg limit their daily choices to avoid decision fatigue or depletion of willpower. Is this really necessary?

Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg limit their daily choices to avoid decision fatigue or depletion of willpower. Is this really necessary?

Decision-Making

The Dangers of Overthinking

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on August 31, 2023

The tale of Buridan’s ass, the donkey who starved because she couldn’t decide between two haystacks, holds lessons for decision-making and overthinking.

The tale of Buridan’s ass, the donkey who starved because she couldn’t decide between two haystacks, holds lessons for decision-making and overthinking.

Stress

3 Ways of Coping

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on August 7, 2023

When life throws you the inevitable curveball, there are different ways to cope. Understanding different coping styles is paramount for finding comfort and respect.

When life throws you the inevitable curveball, there are different ways to cope. Understanding different coping styles is paramount for finding comfort and respect.

Wisdom

Why You Shouldn’t Follow the Crowd

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on June 28, 2023

Do you believe there’s safety in numbers? It can be tempting to imitate others and follow the crowd, but this type of “herding” behaviour may have dangerous consequences.

Do you believe there’s safety in numbers? It can be tempting to imitate others and follow the crowd, but this type of “herding” behaviour may have dangerous consequences.