How Fantasy Becomes Reality

Growing conscious about how media influences individuals and cultures.

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D.

Feeling Bad When Good Things Happen During Crises

Feeling guilty about celebrating while the house is on fire? You're not alone.

When You Can’t Stop Being Angry at 'the Other Side'

Feeling anger and fear that half of the country's people may be dangerous extremists? What does psychology tell us that might help?

Mask wearing is part of many unfamiliar experiences that we have had to adapt to.

Unprecedented: The Psychology of Operating Without the Manual

The risks and opportunities of living in an unprecedented era.

Anxiety Is Like a Cardassian

From 'Star Trek' and 'Harry Potter' to 'Perry Mason,' how what we watch can help us cope with anxiety in a crisis.

Has Anyone Ever Said You Remind Them of a TV Character?

Has anyone ever compared you with a TV character? Have you seen yourself in a TV character? There can be pros and cons of making those connections.

Space: Your Finest Frontier

The profound change you have been saying no to, and how to say yes.

Quicksand, Mouse Holes and Other Movie Tropes from Childhood

Do couples go to Inspiration Point in real life? Do mice live in mouse holes? What's a kid to think after watching television?

How an App Helped Me Cope with the Death of My Beloved Dog

I never thought using an app would help me deal with the death of my beloved dog.

A Million Little Reasons Life is Worth Fighting For

In a distracted world, stories help us remember what really matters.

How to Not Go Crazy This Holiday Season

How to use pop culture and your imagination to beat stress this holiday season.

Social Media Apps for Green Fashion

Is this how Jane Jetson bought her clothes? Everyday fashion in the era of social media.

Stories About Anger and Oppression

This week, a film and a standup comedy routine gave me some ideas about how we deal with our anger in the current political climate.

March for Our Lives Brings New Leaders to the National Stage

Americans hungry for good news need look no further than the kids who spoke at the March for our Lives

Stars Who Sexually Harass and Fans Who Love and Hate Them

How do we deal with it when someone we love does something we hate?

On Coping with Political Strife On Social Media and Beyond

A conversation about struggling with what to post on social media in these times of social and political strife.

Wonder Woman to the Rescue

When the world is in chaos, who can set things right? (Cue music): Wonder Woman!!!

Carrie Fisher in Her Own Words

Why Carrie Fisher's death is such a loss to so many

Coping in a Post Election World & the Amy Adams Film ARRIVAL

Feeling stressed about the the election? A film can help you cope.

Using Harry Potter to Address Racial and Other Prejudices

Are news stories about racial tensions causing you anxiety? Research on Harry Potter offers a new perspective on prejudice reduction.

Star Wars: Real Equality Awakens

It may have taken 40 years and we may have had to endure the prequels, but this new Star Wars film really gets the women right.

Must Feel TV

TV fans are addicted to the feelings we experience through our connections with the story world and its players.

A Female Sherlock Holmes? It Ought to Be Elementary!

Don't you think your daughter is smart enough to be Sherlock Holmes? Shouldn't you tell her so?

The Social Layers of TV and Film Fandom

How is watching your favorite show a form of "social media"?

Why We Need Fantasy

What exactly do we get out of watching romantic relationships on television?

Eulogy for My Brother Who Suffered from Mental Illness

A Sister's Eulogy Reflects on the Life of a Sibling with Mental Illness

Body Image Revolution

Positive Psychology is making inroads to helping women feel better about ourselves and our bodies.

Film Appreciation

How our favorite films help us grapple with what's most meaningful in life.

Parenting Tips from Don & Betty Draper? Why We Watch Mad Men

What can we learn about parenting from Mad Men's Don and Betty Draper—fans know.

Selfies and Status Updates

Are too many selfies and status updates telling your friends to back away slowly?

Come Over to My House

New media bring us a new window to the world of everyday people.

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