The Motivated Mind

Attention

Drunk With Distraction

Hank Rothgerber Ph.D. on July 27, 2023

Think you've learned to manage your smartphone while simultaneously attending to important tasks? Think again.

Think you've learned to manage your smartphone while simultaneously attending to important tasks? Think again.

Guilt

14 Ways Meat Eaters Let Themselves Off the Hook

Hank Rothgerber Ph.D. on July 24, 2023

How people who love animals can still eat meat.

How people who love animals can still eat meat.

Ethics and Morality

How to Cheat Without Being a Cheater

Hank Rothgerber Ph.D. on July 19, 2023

If you’re like most people, you probably cheat more than you realize. Don’t believe me? Herein, the science of how we deceive ourselves.

If you’re like most people, you probably cheat more than you realize. Don’t believe me? Herein, the science of how we deceive ourselves.

Bias

The Cognitive Bias That May Undo Democracy

Hank Rothgerber Ph.D. on July 3, 2023

We are affected by all sorts of biases in our judgments. This one may erode our democracy.

We are affected by all sorts of biases in our judgments. This one may erode our democracy.

Environment

How We Scapegoat Climate Change Migrants

Hank Rothgerber Ph.D. on June 26, 2023

Did you know that at least hundreds of millions of people will likely be displaced from their homeland because of climate change? What are your reactions toward such migrants?

Did you know that at least hundreds of millions of people will likely be displaced from their homeland because of climate change? What are your reactions toward such migrants?

Adolescence

The Parent Trap: Smartphones and the Teen Mental Health Crisis

Hank Rothgerber Ph.D. on June 22, 2023

Smartphones and social media are a gateway to poor teen mental health. Yet, without a device, kids feel socially excluded from their peers.

Smartphones and social media are a gateway to poor teen mental health. Yet, without a device, kids feel socially excluded from their peers.

Diet

Can Dogs Fare Well on Plant-Based Diets?

Hank Rothgerber Ph.D. on June 12, 2023

Pets eat an estimated one-fourth of all meat in the U.S. For some vegetarians and vegans, this poses a dilemma. Is it safe to feed dogs a plant-based diet?

Pets eat an estimated one-fourth of all meat in the U.S. For some vegetarians and vegans, this poses a dilemma. Is it safe to feed dogs a plant-based diet?

Bias

Should Doctors Wear Body Cameras?

Hank Rothgerber Ph.D. on June 5, 2023

How well do you really know your doctor? Their beliefs about hot-button issues like diversity and politics may seem irrelevant, but emerging research suggests otherwise.

How well do you really know your doctor? Their beliefs about hot-button issues like diversity and politics may seem irrelevant, but emerging research suggests otherwise.

Diet

Eating Ourselves Into the Next Pandemic

Hank Rothgerber Ph.D. on May 30, 2023

It is tempting to characterize pandemics as problems foreign in origin and harder to acknowledge how our own diet spreads infectious diseases—especially if you eat meat.

It is tempting to characterize pandemics as problems foreign in origin and harder to acknowledge how our own diet spreads infectious diseases—especially if you eat meat.

Bias

How Can We All See the Same Thing and Still Disagree?

Hank Rothgerber Ph.D. on May 22, 2023

When you look at a visual image or video, you probably assume you simply see what's in the image. It turns out, though, that our beliefs and biases shape what we literally see.

When you look at a visual image or video, you probably assume you simply see what's in the image. It turns out, though, that our beliefs and biases shape what we literally see.