Millennial Media

Stress

Why You Can’t Wait to Take Down the Holiday Decorations

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on January 5, 2026

Personal Perspective: Taking down holiday decorations can feel like an exhale. Research suggests clutter raises stress—so clearing visual noise may help your nervous system reset.

Personal Perspective: Taking down holiday decorations can feel like an exhale. Research suggests clutter raises stress—so clearing visual noise may help your nervous system reset.

Relationships

The Toxic Message About Ex-Lovers in Holiday Films

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on December 26, 2025

Holiday movies often suggest exes are waiting in the wings. Psychology shows why healthy adults grow, change, and rarely end up exactly where they left off.

Holiday movies often suggest exes are waiting in the wings. Psychology shows why healthy adults grow, change, and rarely end up exactly where they left off.

Parasocial Relationships

The Conrad Fisher Effect

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on December 17, 2025

Why millennial moms are obsessed with The Summer I Turned Pretty—and what Conrad Fisher reveals about nostalgia, desire, parasocial bonds, and emotional escape in adulthood.

Why millennial moms are obsessed with The Summer I Turned Pretty—and what Conrad Fisher reveals about nostalgia, desire, parasocial bonds, and emotional escape in adulthood.

Education

The Challenge of Extra Exam Time

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on December 14, 2025

When extra time becomes the norm, fairness gets complicated. Examining the unintended consequences of accommodation culture.

When extra time becomes the norm, fairness gets complicated. Examining the unintended consequences of accommodation culture.

Adolescence

Understanding “Geek Girl” and Neurodivergence

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on October 22, 2024

Netflix's new show "Geek Girl" depicts a "neurodivergent" lead. Audiences have wondered, is the teen autistic, or perhaps just a bit awkward?

Netflix's new show "Geek Girl" depicts a "neurodivergent" lead. Audiences have wondered, is the teen autistic, or perhaps just a bit awkward?

Adolescence

Understanding the Enchantment of Taylor Swift

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on August 20, 2024

Celebrities like pop icon Taylor Swift can be powerful role models for their adolescent fans, encouraging prosocial and health-positive behaviors.

Celebrities like pop icon Taylor Swift can be powerful role models for their adolescent fans, encouraging prosocial and health-positive behaviors.

Education

Can Language Immersion Programs Be Psychologically Harmful?

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on August 17, 2024

Rethinking language immersion in early schooling.

Rethinking language immersion in early schooling.

Child Development

Is Your Child’s Preschool or Daycare Abusive?

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on August 16, 2024

Many parents innocently assume preschool and daycare abuse is limited to egregious acts, such as physical and sexual abuse. Abuse can be far more subtle, and just as harmful.

Many parents innocently assume preschool and daycare abuse is limited to egregious acts, such as physical and sexual abuse. Abuse can be far more subtle, and just as harmful.

Relationships

How CBT Could Help 'The Bachelor' Contestants Find Love

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on March 11, 2022

Singles looking for love can sometimes be their own worst enemies. Or at least their thought distortions can be.

Singles looking for love can sometimes be their own worst enemies. Or at least their thought distortions can be.

Media

Was Chris Harrison Fairly Portrayed in Racial Controversy?

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on March 30, 2021

How "The Bachelor" race controversy was misconstrued by the media.

How "The Bachelor" race controversy was misconstrued by the media.

Anger

“Queen” Victoria, Aggression, and Bullying on "The Bachelor"

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on February 26, 2021

While "The Bachelor" franchise is no stranger to controversy, did they cross the line when giving air time to bullies? The problem with rewarding relational aggression.

While "The Bachelor" franchise is no stranger to controversy, did they cross the line when giving air time to bullies? The problem with rewarding relational aggression.

Career

How COVID-19 Is Shaping the Future of Generations

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on February 24, 2021

Has FOMO been replaced with a sense of gratitude and appreciation? For Generations Y and Z, work, school, and life will never be the same.

Has FOMO been replaced with a sense of gratitude and appreciation? For Generations Y and Z, work, school, and life will never be the same.

Education

How a Love of Learning Can Save Us All

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on November 25, 2020

Too much time to sit and ruminate? Sometimes shifting your focus to learning something new can go a long way in saving your sanity.

Too much time to sit and ruminate? Sometimes shifting your focus to learning something new can go a long way in saving your sanity.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Helping Teens Navigate COVID-19 FOMO

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on November 18, 2020

With the third wave of COVID-19 upon us and the holidays around the corner, cognitive dissonance is at an all-time high among teens trying to live a "normal" life.

With the third wave of COVID-19 upon us and the holidays around the corner, cognitive dissonance is at an all-time high among teens trying to live a "normal" life.

Altruism

Helping Teens Brave the Unknown This Holiday Season

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on November 10, 2020

Helping teens tap their character strengths of kindness and bravery can help them stay mentally strong this holiday season.

Helping teens tap their character strengths of kindness and bravery can help them stay mentally strong this holiday season.

Gratitude

Is COVID-19 Helping Us Cultivate More Gratitude?

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on August 1, 2020

During these perilous times, the national conversation may be finally turning to one of gratitude.

During these perilous times, the national conversation may be finally turning to one of gratitude.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Are Supreme Courts Playing the "Oppression Olympics?"

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on July 22, 2020

As COVID-19 and racial protests ravage our nation, young aspiring professionals seek expeditious routes to licensure and serving the public. But are state governing bodies biased?

As COVID-19 and racial protests ravage our nation, young aspiring professionals seek expeditious routes to licensure and serving the public. But are state governing bodies biased?

Bias

Is Trader Joe’s Food Packaging Racist?

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on July 21, 2020

Trader Joe's is coming under fire after a petition calling its products racist and accusing the brand of exoticization and racial stereotyping.

Trader Joe's is coming under fire after a petition calling its products racist and accusing the brand of exoticization and racial stereotyping.

Anxiety

How to Help Teens Find a “New Normal”

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on May 31, 2020

Despite the nation's gradual reopening, intense anxiety among many parents and teens endures. Embracing a "new normal" can help a family thrive.

Despite the nation's gradual reopening, intense anxiety among many parents and teens endures. Embracing a "new normal" can help a family thrive.

Extroversion

When Social Distancing Is Your Daily Norm

Goali Saedi Bocci Ph.D. on April 9, 2020

For many introverts and those who already work from home, social distancing can have a very different meaning and impact.

For many introverts and those who already work from home, social distancing can have a very different meaning and impact.