Essential Reads

Emotion Regulation

What Do Pet Owners Believe About Dog and Cat Emotions?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on March 30, 2023 in Animals and Us

Do pets experience complex emotions like jealousy, grief, and happiness? Here is what pet owners think about the emotional capacities of their cats and dogs.

Do pets experience complex emotions like jealousy, grief, and happiness? Here is what pet owners think about the emotional capacities of their cats and dogs.

Self-Control

How Intuition Affects Self-Control

Carlos Alós-Ferrer Ph.D. on March 30, 2023 in Decisions and the Brain

In a hurry and a lot on your mind? You might be making a bad decision. But you don't need to.

In a hurry and a lot on your mind? You might be making a bad decision. But you don't need to.

Sleep

Music Could Help You Sleep Better

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on March 30, 2023 in Between You and Me

Music has the power to move us, but does it have the power to help us sleep better? According to recent research, it does.

Music has the power to move us, but does it have the power to help us sleep better? According to recent research, it does.

Trauma

The Impact on Black Americans of Viewing Police Violence

Kevin Cokley Ph.D. on March 29, 2023 in Black Psychology Matters

In the Black community, one does not have to be the direct target of police violence to be victimized or traumatized by it.

In the Black community, one does not have to be the direct target of police violence to be victimized or traumatized by it.

Play

Do Animals Play Like Humans Do?

Beki Hooper Ph.D. on March 29, 2023 in ANIMA

Have you ever stopped to wonder whether animals play, and if their experience is anything like our own?

Have you ever stopped to wonder whether animals play, and if their experience is anything like our own?

Personality

Do Bad Dogs Have Bad Owners?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on March 29, 2023 in Canine Corner

A new study shows that owners of aggressive dogs are more likely to have a history of antisocial behavior and actions suggesting animal abuse or neglect.

A new study shows that owners of aggressive dogs are more likely to have a history of antisocial behavior and actions suggesting animal abuse or neglect.

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.