Overthinking TV

Thinking about thinking on TV

Alan Jern Ph.D.

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

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

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

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

“The Rehearsal” Is a Brilliant Look at Behavior Manipulation

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.

Two Shows Portray Autistic Relationships With Sensitivity

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.

How Your Expectations Affect Your Enjoyment

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.

TV Ads Probably Won't Change Your Mind

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

The Visual Illusions that Reveal How Our Minds Work

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

The Psychology Behind "Squid Game"

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

A New Docuseries Explores The Reality of Memory Repression

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

The Costs and Benefits of Portraying Autism on TV

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

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

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.

Why Are So Many Movies Basically the Same?

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.

The Science of Misdirection

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.

True Originality in Creative Work Is Rare

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.

Why TV Is One of the Most Influential Forms of Pop Culture

From "Will & Grace" and gay marriage, to "24" and torture, what we watch on the screen shapes our attitudes and values, for better and for worse.

What the "Up" Series Reveals About Personality Change

An interview with Claire Lewis, producer of the celebrated 50-year documentary series, on what she thinks the series reveals about personality, class, and development.

Why You Should Stop Binge-Watching

Binge-watching TV episodes leads to worse memory retention and is less fun than watching episodes released weekly.

What It Was Like to Be a Doctor During the AIDS Crisis

Following the release of "It's a Sin" about the AIDS crisis, I talked to Dr. Martin Seltman, one of the only primary care doctors who treated AIDS in Pittsburgh in the 1980s.

Can Watching TV Reduce Prejudice?

Can watching shows and films featuring characters from different groups reduce prejudice toward those groups? Recent experiments suggest the answer could be yes, even if the effect is small.

NXIVM and Heaven's Gate Cults Used Common Persuasion Methods

Why would someone join a cult? Two recent docuseries about the NXIVM and Heaven's Gate cults suggest they used similar, effective persuasion principles we're all susceptible to.

Two of This Year's Best TV Shows Highlight the Value of Curiosity

This year gave us two TV shows, "Joe Pera Talks With You" and "How to With John Wilson," that prove there is plenty of joy to be found in the world if we're curious enough.

Guilty Pleasures Are Just Pleasures

Why do we feel guilty for liking "bad" TV? Many psychologists believe that guilt is adaptive, but that doesn't mean it's helping us make good entertainment choices.

Are We Tricking Ourselves Into Loving Bingeworthy TV Shows?

Some television shows can place big demands on our time and attention. Does this lead us to think these shows are better than they really are?