Brain Wise

Work better, work smarter

Susan Weinschenk Ph.D.

Have You Experienced the Imposter Syndrome?

Are you afraid that the people you work with or go to school with will find out that you don't deserve to be there? You may have fallen prey to the Imposter Syndrome.

The Dopamine Seeking-Reward Loop

Why is it so hard to stop scrolling on my smartphone social media feeds?

iPhone X: Yes Or No?

Whether or not you buy the new iPhone X depends in part on whether you are making a habit based decision or a value based decision.

The Science of Why New Year's Resolutions Don't Work

If you've tried to make and keep New Year's resolutions in the past and not been successful, maybe you need to learn the science behind behavior change before you try again.

The Uncanny Power of Cell Phones to Disrupt Relationships

Just having a cellphone in view changes a conversation.

Myths About Creativity

Are some people more creative than others? Here are some of the truths and myths about creativity.

Emotions Are Contagious

If you spend time around happy people you will tend to be happy. If you spend time around depressed people you will start to feel depressed. Emotions ARE contagious.

The Imposter Syndrome

Are you one of the 70% of people that have "Imposter Syndrome"?

Great Stories Release Brain Chemicals

Why do some stories resonate with us? And why do we remember some stories and forget others? Research shows that some aspects of stories release brain chemicals.

When People Feel Connected They Work Harder

When people feel they are part of a team they work harder. Here's why.

Laughter Helps Us Learn

Laughter releases neurochemicals in the brain that help you learn -- even toddlers learn more when they laugh.

Shopping, Dopamine, and Anticipation

Dopamine creates excitement when you shop. But which creates more excitement: Online or in-store shopping?

Age, Gender, Geography And Visual Appeal

What makes people prefer one type of visual design, for example, a website design, over another? How much do age, gender, and geography or culture have to do with it?

The Best Way to Process Big Data Is Unconsciously

The conscious mind can handle only a small subset of data at one time, but the unconscious is great at taking in large amounts of data and finding patterns. If you want to see the patterns in big data, you have to engage the unconscious.

People Read Only 60% Of An Online Article

How much of these Psychology Today articles, or any articles are you actually reading? New data shows that the most people read is 60%, and that you can't assume that if people shared an article that they actually read it.

What Your Pet Can Teach You About Being Human

What's important in life? How can we be happy and at peace? Maybe our pets can tell us.

Your Brain On Stories

When you hear a story you are literally using more of your brain then when you are listening to facts and figures. And because you are having a richer brain event, you enjoy the experience more, you understand the information more deeply, and retain it longer. You are also more likely to release oxytocin in your brain, making it more likely that you will trust the speaker.

Are You Addicted to Texting?

How dopamine combined with classical conditioning can make it nearly impossible for you NOT to check your smartphone for texts and messages.

The Science of Attraction

We think that we are in control of who we find attractive and not attractive, but it might be our DNA that is calling the shots.

Three Secrets About Working and Earning Money

Is it possible to earn good money? Is it possible to like your work? Here are 3 secrets you need to know before you decide on your next step in finding a job or starting your own business.

How To Get People To Do What You Want

You can get people to do what you want them to without resorting to being pushy, mean, obnoxious or nagging. You can encourage and empower and get better results by using motivation.

Why "Stepping Away" Increases Your Creativity

If you want to be more creative you have to STOP working on whatever you are puzzling over. Here's the brain science on why.

The Science of Creativity

Many people think that you are either born creative or you aren't. But that isn't the case. Everyone is creative and everyone can learn how to follow a creative process and creative principles.

Why You Shouldn't Mix Praise With Feedback

When you want to motivate someone it's a great idea to give them a lot of feedback on how they are doing. But when you mix praise in with the feedback you are sending a mixed message and dampening the desire for mastery.

How To Pick The Right Reward

In order for rewards to work you have to pick the best reward for that particular person. Do you know how to pick the best reward?

Use Unpredictable Rewards To Keep Behavior Going

If you want people to keep doing a certain behavior, then don't reward them every time—the research shows that an unpredictable reward keeps a behavior going, even after you stop giving the reward.

Reward Every Time To Establish A New Behavior

Rewards are one of the most common ways that people think of to get other people to do stuff, but they aren't the most effective way to motivate people. If you are going to use rewards to motivate, you'd better know the science behind them.

People Who Are Connected Together Work Harder

When people feel connected to each other then they are more motivated to work together. Even pointing out how people are connected in small ways affects behavior.

Give People Autonomy

When people feel they have autonomy and are in control of what they are doing and how they do it then they are willing to work harder.

screen shot of 5k runner app

Use Small Steps to Motivate

People have a desire to master skills and knowledge. You can stimulate that desire by breaking tasks into small steps and giving lots of feedback on progress. This will keep people wanting to do and learn more.

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