Media Spotlight

Media

When “Fake” Becomes a Defense: The Psychology of Deepfakes

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on March 11, 2026

Deepfakes are usually seen as tools for spreading misinformation. But new research highlights another risk: The “liar’s dividend.”

Deepfakes are usually seen as tools for spreading misinformation. But new research highlights another risk: The “liar’s dividend.”

Education

Do School Threats Really Predict Student Violence?

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on February 19, 2026

Most school threats fade fast, but some signal real danger. A massive Florida study shows how threat assessment separates noise from risk—and why it keeps schools safer.

Most school threats fade fast, but some signal real danger. A massive Florida study shows how threat assessment separates noise from risk—and why it keeps schools safer.

Transgender

Should Transgender Athletes Be Banned From School Sports?

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on January 5, 2026

As laws tighten around transgender athletes, science is often ignored. New research shows why restricting trans youth in sports ignores biological reality.

As laws tighten around transgender athletes, science is often ignored. New research shows why restricting trans youth in sports ignores biological reality.

Punishment

Does Extreme Heat Raise the Risk of Child Harm at Home?

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on November 18, 2025

New research shows that soaring temperatures may fuel harsher punishment of young children, revealing a hidden psychological toll of heat that threatens family well-being.

New research shows that soaring temperatures may fuel harsher punishment of young children, revealing a hidden psychological toll of heat that threatens family well-being.

Suicide

How Breakups Can Seriously Damage Men's Mental Health

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on November 6, 2025

Men 34 and under face the highest risk.

Men 34 and under face the highest risk.

Social Media

Should Teens Be Banned From Social Media?

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on October 15, 2025

New legislation aims to protect youth from online harm, but cutting off social media access may isolate the very teens it’s meant to help.

New legislation aims to protect youth from online harm, but cutting off social media access may isolate the very teens it’s meant to help.

Loneliness

Why Daily Connection Matters More Than You Think

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on May 6, 2025

Loneliness speeds up aging, new research finds—and even short-term feelings matter. Fortunately, daily connection can protect health and well-being as we grow older.

Loneliness speeds up aging, new research finds—and even short-term feelings matter. Fortunately, daily connection can protect health and well-being as we grow older.

Resilience

The Resilience Advantage: Aging Gracefully With Confidence

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on February 10, 2025

Why do some older adults handle stress with ease while others struggle? Discover what research reveals about resilience and how to strengthen it for a thriving future.

Why do some older adults handle stress with ease while others struggle? Discover what research reveals about resilience and how to strengthen it for a thriving future.

Mass Shootings

Can Anonymous Reporting Systems Prevent School Violence?

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on December 5, 2024

Anonymous reporting systems represent a promising tool for safety. But do they work?

Anonymous reporting systems represent a promising tool for safety. But do they work?

Parenting

Parents and Smartphones: A Healthy Mix?

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on April 30, 2024

Explore the impact of smartphones on family dynamics in the digital age. Learn how parents can balance technology use for healthier relationships.

Explore the impact of smartphones on family dynamics in the digital age. Learn how parents can balance technology use for healthier relationships.

Law and Crime

Exploring the Mind of Charles Manson

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on December 8, 2023

Explore the dark saga of Charles Manson: From the shocking 1969 murders to his complex psychiatric profile, shedding light on the roots of modern extremism.

Explore the dark saga of Charles Manson: From the shocking 1969 murders to his complex psychiatric profile, shedding light on the roots of modern extremism.

Gender

Reel Talk: Gender Dynamics and the Bechdel-Wallace Test

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on October 25, 2023

New research applies the Bechdel-Wallace Test to 1,200 top films. The results show serious gender representation gaps.

New research applies the Bechdel-Wallace Test to 1,200 top films. The results show serious gender representation gaps.

Infidelity

6 Ways People Seek Forgiveness After Cheating

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on October 4, 2023

How do couples navigate the murky waters of infidelity? A new study offers a lens into the complex interplay of psychology and interpersonal relationships post-infidelity.

How do couples navigate the murky waters of infidelity? A new study offers a lens into the complex interplay of psychology and interpersonal relationships post-infidelity.

Dementia

Exercise Could Defend Against Alzheimer's Disease

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on August 24, 2023

Embrace movement for a brighter, healthier future: New research suggests that regular exercise might be the key to halting the progression of Alzheimer's.

Embrace movement for a brighter, healthier future: New research suggests that regular exercise might be the key to halting the progression of Alzheimer's.

Terror Management Theory

Can Terrorist Behavior Measures Predict Group Violence?

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on August 2, 2023

Exploring the roles of social media, groupthink, and the Trap-18 assessment tool.

Exploring the roles of social media, groupthink, and the Trap-18 assessment tool.

Memory

Squeeze Your Hands for Sharper Memory

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on July 12, 2023

Simple isometric exercises like squeezing a stress ball could boost memory responses across different age groups. Here's how to make every squeeze count.

Simple isometric exercises like squeezing a stress ball could boost memory responses across different age groups. Here's how to make every squeeze count.

Bias

Exploring The First-Name Effect: Racism in The Courtroom

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on June 30, 2023

Unmasking the unsettling link between first names and sentencing severity. A new study uncovers a hidden form of racism in our justice system.

Unmasking the unsettling link between first names and sentencing severity. A new study uncovers a hidden form of racism in our justice system.

Body Image

Superhuman Standards: How Comic Books Shape Body Ideals

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on June 21, 2023

How do comic book characters' hypersexualized bodies shape our perceptions of beauty? Research raises unsettling conclusions about how comic books can skew body expectations.

How do comic book characters' hypersexualized bodies shape our perceptions of beauty? Research raises unsettling conclusions about how comic books can skew body expectations.

Cognition

Lifelong Enrichment: A Key to Preserving Cognitive Health

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on June 13, 2023

Physical, social, and mental activities can impact cognitive function in your later years, offering surprising insights into healthy aging.

Physical, social, and mental activities can impact cognitive function in your later years, offering surprising insights into healthy aging.

Workplace Dynamics

The Robots Are Here: What Will It Mean for Job Security?

Romeo Vitelli Ph.D. on June 5, 2023

Unmasking the dual-edged sword of robots in the workplace: How can robots spike job insecurity and maladaptive behaviors, and what can companies due to fix this?

Unmasking the dual-edged sword of robots in the workplace: How can robots spike job insecurity and maladaptive behaviors, and what can companies due to fix this?