Mental Mishaps

Errors in perceiving, remembering, and thinking.

Presidential Twitter Use: Should You Worry?

We all live inside a narrow and biased social media bubble, exposed to biased news and misleading information.

The Menace of Memes

A cute animal picture with a pithy saying can spread like wildfire across social media. Memes are insidious—and findings from psychology may help explain why.

Baby Shark? Deleting Songs Stuck in Your Head

Do you have the baby shark song swimming in your head? Sometimes, an awful piece of music gets stuck in your thoughts. How can you delete it from your mental playback loop?

Joe Biden and the Case for False Memories

While campaigning, Joe Biden tells a compelling story of war heroism and of awarding a soldier a medal. Unfortunately, the story appears to be false. But maybe Biden isn’t lying.

Can We Stop the Spread of Misinformation?

Misinformation develops a life of its own, infecting social media. But if misinformation is like a virus infecting social media, are there ways to inoculate ourselves?

Waking Up Lost and Confused

Have you ever woken up a strange place that you don’t recognize? Unable to remember how you got there? That moment can help us understand what having Alzheimer’s is like.

Too Many Phone Calls

I received three phone calls in 30 minutes. On the last two, she didn’t respond when I said I said hello, although I could hear noises. But I wasn’t worried.

Will Critical Thinking Save Us from Misinformation?

I worry about misinformation in the news and social media. We’re all exposed, constantly. Is there any way to protect ourselves from the influence of fake news and misinformation?

The Memory Kaleidoscope

As we remember, the kaleidoscope turns, the pieces shift, and a new image emerges. In Alzheimer’s, we see certain features of memory more clearly.

Is Your Cell Phone Ruining Your Relationship?

Easily and immediately reaching your romantic partner using your cell phone is wonderful. But cell phones also can disrupt communication. How does this affect your relationship?

Worrying about Money

I’ve lived paycheck to paycheck. I’ve waited to buy food, worried about rent, and delayed bills. I've worried about money. And that can be a problem.

Is It Rational to Save the Environment? Maybe Not.

So many choices. Good choices. Irrational ones. Do you drive to work? Is that rational? Probably. And that’s the problem. Being rational ruins the environment. You need a nudge.

The Case of the Missing Sweater

She couldn’t find her sweater anywhere. Naturally, she began to wonder who stole her sweater. Thus began the case of the missing sweater.

What Kavanaugh’s Calendars Clearly Show

I’m interested in Kavanaugh’s calendars from 1982. Many people have looked at Kavanaugh’s calendars, but have not seen the same thing. Are these honest differences in perception?

Is the Kavanaugh Sexual Assault Accusation a False Memory?

Memory is constructive. People can even create entirely false memories in response to suggestions and biased beliefs about the past.

A Supreme Court Nominee, A Sexual Assault, and Memory

Brett Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court nominee, has been accused of sexual assault. The alleged assault occurred in high school. How reliable is memory after 35 years?

Is This a Bill?

She asked me simple questions. Is this a bill? Do I have to pay this? The questions arose from fake mailings targeted to confuse seniors.

The Truth Is Under Attack

Fake news. Misinformation on Facebook and Twitter. Conspiracy theories. Alternative facts. Lies. The truth is being attacked. What can we do to defend it?

A Sea Lion in Boogie Wonderland—Do Animals Dance?

Everybody dances. Whether performing on a stage or simply nodding their heads, everyone can keep the beat. Is this a uniquely human ability? Can animals dance?

Should We Pity the Enforcers of Family Separation?

Separating children from their families causes lasting harm. How can someone do this? And should we pity those ordered to do this harm?

Did You Leave Your Car Running?

People leave their new cars running in their garages and die from carbon monoxide poisoning. Anyone can make this mistake. You may be at risk.

The YouTube Overconfidence Effect

I’m sure I could surf. I’ve watched surfing videos on YouTube. It looks easy. I’m confident I could stay on the board and ride the wave. I’ve learned by watching. Or maybe not.

Robots, and Accidents, on the Roads

Humans are lousy drivers. We get distracted and bored. We drive when we’re tired and drunk. Maybe the robots and self-driving cars can save us from ourselves. Or maybe not.

My Memories Live in an Old Farmhouse

Some places seem haunted, not by ghosts but by the past and our memories.

You're Vulnerable, but I'm Immune

Do you worry about rumors? Are you concerned about fake news? False information might change other people. Of course, you’re immune, aren’t you?

Stuck on Repeat in Alzheimer’s Disease

If you have a relative with Alzheimer’s, you’ve probably experienced conversational loops. A topic comes once and within a few minutes, you're back to it again, stuck on repeat.