Mental Mishaps

Errors in perceiving, remembering, and thinking.

Ira Hyman Ph.D.

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.

When a College Education Makes Things Worse

What if a college education makes things worse? Should we worry about the value of education in the post-truth world?

He Said, She Said, and a Videotape

Sometimes we get caught telling a whopper. And sometimes, our whopper may not actually be a lie. How should you respond?

Taking a Stand When Taking a Knee

How we rewrite and romanticize memories of protests.

Should I Boycott Football?

I love football. I played when I was young. I appreciate the beautiful ballet of violence. But I wonder if I should boycott the sport.

Should You Go to the Counter-Protest?

When the Nazis, KKK, and white supremacists march in your town, should you go to the counter-protest?

How Good Is Your Autopilot?

Have you used autopilot when driving? I don’t mean a self-driving car; I mean those times when you space out for a moment, your mind wanders, and your autopilot keeps you moving.

Distracted Parents and Problem Children

Have you seen them at the parks and in the coffee shops? Parents hypnotized by their phones and computers; unaware of what their children are doing. What happens to those children?

Why Bureaucrats Are like Three-year-olds

Bureaucrats have minds. Really. Nevertheless, they frequently display theory of mind failures – an ability they should have developed as preschoolers.

A New Way to Avoid Impulse Shopping

Impulse shopping. I walk into the store with a shopping list, but come out with things that were not on my list. Is there any hope? Maybe your cell phone can save the day.

Science Is Not Political

Nonetheless, science is embroiled in politics. Why is science so controversial, and why are the scientists planning a big march?

Good People, Evil Actions

Can anyone become a monster? We like to think that only unusual and horrible people do evil things. But what if anyone, even a basically good person, will perform evil actions?

Crowd Size, Line Length, and Conformity

When you quietly agree with the statements of a group, how does conforming change you? Can you retain your original views? Does conforming alter the way you see the world?

Does the Truth Matter?

Does the truth matter to you? No one likes being lied to, or at least that is what we say. But the truth is that we seem to like some lies.

These Dishes Didn’t Wash Themselves

Does anyone ever notice the work you do? Think about your unnoticed housework. All of those dishes washed and all of that laundry folded. Will anyone ever notice?

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