Overthinking TV

Deception

What "Poker Face" Gets Wrong About Lie Detection

Alan Jern Ph.D. on February 27, 2023

In real life, most people are pretty lousy lie detectors.

In real life, most people are pretty lousy lie detectors.

Personality

'Paul T. Goldman' Shows the Strengths of Case Studies

Alan Jern Ph.D. on February 2, 2023

A bizarre Peacock series unintentionally demonstrates the strengths (and a few weaknesses) of case studies.

A bizarre Peacock series unintentionally demonstrates the strengths (and a few weaknesses) of case studies.

Cognitive Dissonance

The Power of Low Expectations

Alan Jern Ph.D. on January 22, 2023

Expectations can affect your experience. But research suggests that being pleasantly surprised (due to low expectations) is especially powerful.

Expectations can affect your experience. But research suggests that being pleasantly surprised (due to low expectations) is especially powerful.

Persuasion

Could You Be Tricked Into Committing Abusive Acts?

Alan Jern Ph.D. on December 26, 2022

The Netflix docuseries "Don't Pick Up the Phone" is about a man who tricked people into abusing others. Despite intuitions, many of us are vulnerable to this kind of hoax.

The Netflix docuseries "Don't Pick Up the Phone" is about a man who tricked people into abusing others. Despite intuitions, many of us are vulnerable to this kind of hoax.

Psychiatry

Did the NXIVM Cult Actually Help People?

Alan Jern Ph.D. on November 6, 2022

In its second season, the HBO docuseries "The Vow" gives a voice to NXIVM's defenders and critically examines their claims.

In its second season, the HBO docuseries "The Vow" gives a voice to NXIVM's defenders and critically examines their claims.

Types of Therapy

Can Serial Killers Be Cured?

Alan Jern Ph.D. on October 26, 2022

The Hulu series, "The Patient," features a serial killer seeking therapy to stop his killing. Research suggests his efforts may not be totally in vain.

The Hulu series, "The Patient," features a serial killer seeking therapy to stop his killing. Research suggests his efforts may not be totally in vain.

Media

There's More TV Than Ever, Here's Why That's Bad

Alan Jern Ph.D. on July 24, 2022

There were a record 559 scripted shows last year. TV has never been better, but unprecedented choice has downsides.

There were a record 559 scripted shows last year. TV has never been better, but unprecedented choice has downsides.

Deception

The "Who" and "Why" of Elizabeth Holmes and Her Fraudulent Behavior

Alan Jern Ph.D. on July 21, 2022

One of the year's best shows thoroughly examines the person behind the infamous Theranos fraud.

One of the year's best shows thoroughly examines the person behind the infamous Theranos fraud.

Psychology

“The Rehearsal” Is a Brilliant Look at Behavior Manipulation

Alan Jern Ph.D. on July 13, 2022

A new HBO show asks, "What if you trained for everyday events like runners train for marathons?" The result is amazing and has surprising implications for the field of psychology.

A new HBO show asks, "What if you trained for everyday events like runners train for marathons?" The result is amazing and has surprising implications for the field of psychology.

Autism

Two Shows Portray Autistic Relationships With Sensitivity

Alan Jern Ph.D. on April 4, 2022

Two recent shows, "Love on the Spectrum" and "As We See It," help to dispel the stereotype that autistic people are less interested in social contact or relationships.

Two recent shows, "Love on the Spectrum" and "As We See It," help to dispel the stereotype that autistic people are less interested in social contact or relationships.

Happiness

How Your Expectations Affect Your Enjoyment

Alan Jern Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

Why do some people love a show and others hate it? It may partly be due to taste, but often it may be due to differing expectations.

Why do some people love a show and others hate it? It may partly be due to taste, but often it may be due to differing expectations.

Persuasion

TV Ads Probably Won't Change Your Mind

Alan Jern Ph.D. on January 14, 2022

A massive study finds that ads designed to change your mind might be effective, but those effects are very small and extremely short-lived.

A massive study finds that ads designed to change your mind might be effective, but those effects are very small and extremely short-lived.

Career

The Visual Illusions that Reveal How Our Minds Work

Alan Jern Ph.D. on December 21, 2021

Classic Disney magic involves just understanding human psychology—especially perception.

Classic Disney magic involves just understanding human psychology—especially perception.

Motivation

The Psychology Behind "Squid Game"

Alan Jern Ph.D. on October 15, 2021

Netflix's "Squid Game" is a suspenseful mega-hit. But it's also a great illustration of two fundamental concepts from psychology.

Netflix's "Squid Game" is a suspenseful mega-hit. But it's also a great illustration of two fundamental concepts from psychology.

Memory

A New Docuseries Explores The Reality of Memory Repression

Alan Jern Ph.D. on October 7, 2021

Showtime's "Buried" chronicles the first criminal case based on recovered memory. What does the research say about repressed memory?

Showtime's "Buried" chronicles the first criminal case based on recovered memory. What does the research say about repressed memory?

Autism

The Costs and Benefits of Portraying Autism on TV

Alan Jern Ph.D. on September 26, 2021

More representation of autism on TV is a good thing. But if representations aren't accurate, will they increase public misunderstandings?

More representation of autism on TV is a good thing. But if representations aren't accurate, will they increase public misunderstandings?

Cognition

Why Do Some Shows or Books Stay with Us for Weeks or Longer?

Alan Jern Ph.D. on August 23, 2021

Some stories stay with us for weeks but others we forget within days. A new study suggests the difference may be due to how deeply we process a story and its themes.

Some stories stay with us for weeks but others we forget within days. A new study suggests the difference may be due to how deeply we process a story and its themes.

Social Learning Theory

Why Are So Many Movies Basically the Same?

Alan Jern Ph.D. on July 12, 2021

A recent paper argues that we prefer certain types of stories because they activate pleasurable, deep-seated mechanisms that evolved for social learning and cooperation.

A recent paper argues that we prefer certain types of stories because they activate pleasurable, deep-seated mechanisms that evolved for social learning and cooperation.

Attention

The Science of Misdirection

Alan Jern Ph.D. on June 21, 2021

In Netflix's global hit 'Lupin,' master thief Assane Diop doesn't rely on gadgets or disguises. He relies on an astute understanding of the limits of perception and attention.

In Netflix's global hit 'Lupin,' master thief Assane Diop doesn't rely on gadgets or disguises. He relies on an astute understanding of the limits of perception and attention.

Career

True Originality in Creative Work Is Rare

Alan Jern Ph.D. on May 25, 2021

HBO's "Mare of Easttown" feels like a remix of plot elements cribbed from other shows. But the result is good. And studies suggest that creativity is rarely truly original, anyway.

HBO's "Mare of Easttown" feels like a remix of plot elements cribbed from other shows. But the result is good. And studies suggest that creativity is rarely truly original, anyway.