How Writing Works

The Reading and Writing Brain

Boredom
Compulsive Smartphone Use: Boring Ourselves to Bits

Yellowlees Douglas Ph.D. on November 29, 2024

Studies document strong correlations between chronic boredom and compulsive social media use. Yet, increases in social media use also increase boredom instead of reducing it.

Studies document strong correlations between chronic boredom and compulsive social media use. Yet, increases in social media use also increase boredom instead of reducing it.

Career
Does the 'Generation Effect' in Advertising Still Work?

Yellowlees Douglas Ph.D. on November 7, 2024

Marketeers use generation effects to bolster the memorability of ads. But what if its effects are laboratory illusions? And do generation effects work in multicultural societies?

Marketeers use generation effects to bolster the memorability of ads. But what if its effects are laboratory illusions? And do generation effects work in multicultural societies?

Education
How Parents Impact Their Kids’ Reading Skills

Yellowlees Douglas Ph.D. on October 2, 2024

Parents may feel powerless to influence their children’s reading habits. But, in reality, they can dramatically impact kids’ reading fluency, level, and comprehension.

Parents may feel powerless to influence their children’s reading habits. But, in reality, they can dramatically impact kids’ reading fluency, level, and comprehension.

Procrastination
The Surprising Reason Why You Procrastinate

Yellowlees Douglas Ph.D. on September 17, 2024

According to countless studies, everyone admits to procrastinating on writing tasks. Yet the origins of our urge to put off writing are surprising—and the way to tackle it, simple.

According to countless studies, everyone admits to procrastinating on writing tasks. Yet the origins of our urge to put off writing are surprising—and the way to tackle it, simple.

Consumer Behavior
Use the PROP Method to Deliver Bad News

Yellowlees Douglas Ph.D. on September 3, 2024

Need to convey some less-than-stellar information to a client, patient, or parent? Deliver the bad news using the PROP method to retain precious goodwill.

Need to convey some less-than-stellar information to a client, patient, or parent? Deliver the bad news using the PROP method to retain precious goodwill.

Cognition
Reading at Lightning Speed

Yellowlees Douglas Ph.D. on July 24, 2024

Reading a book in four minutes is a gimmick. But these four strategies will enable you to consume even complex and technical content up to four times faster.

Reading a book in four minutes is a gimmick. But these four strategies will enable you to consume even complex and technical content up to four times faster.

Cognition
5 Science-Backed Ways to Write Clearly

Yellowlees Douglas Ph.D. on June 24, 2024

To write clearly, you must understand how our reading brains process written language. You'll never look at a sentence in the same way again.

To write clearly, you must understand how our reading brains process written language. You'll never look at a sentence in the same way again.

Teamwork
The Office Dies a Long-Overdue Death

Yellowlees Douglas Ph.D. on June 25, 2021

Office—what office? The New York Times' analysis of the death of the office should also invite questions about the way we approach classrooms.

Office—what office? The New York Times' analysis of the death of the office should also invite questions about the way we approach classrooms.

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Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

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