Play in Mind

Conspiracy Theories

Why Conspiracy Theories Are Not Bedtime Stories

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on August 3, 2026

Bedtime stories mean to entrance; conspiracy theories mean to entrap.

Bedtime stories mean to entrance; conspiracy theories mean to entrap.

Ethics and Morality

The Irish Giant Betrayed: The Ethics of the Public Gaze

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on July 28, 2026

Freak shows give license to the fixed gaze, which poses moral and ethical questions.

Freak shows give license to the fixed gaze, which poses moral and ethical questions.

Aphasia

Wordplay Is Play but Mistakes Can Be Symptoms

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on July 15, 2026

Slips of the tongue, harmless and humorous, are separate from symptomatic speech errors.

Slips of the tongue, harmless and humorous, are separate from symptomatic speech errors.

Sport and Competition

FIFA and a Ruling of Mistaken Identity

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on June 22, 2026

Order and chaos constantly reshape sports—and we need both for real progress.

Order and chaos constantly reshape sports—and we need both for real progress.

Teamwork

The Pitt and the "Perfect Swarm" of Teamwork

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on June 2, 2026

The popular medical thriller, The Pitt, shows how teamwork manages crisis.

The popular medical thriller, The Pitt, shows how teamwork manages crisis.

Play

Play and Creativity Run on Free Energy

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on May 28, 2026

In moments of play and over eons of evolution, surprise vies with caution.

In moments of play and over eons of evolution, surprise vies with caution.

Play

How Online Gambling Hijacks an Element of Play: Anticipation

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on May 18, 2026

Online gambling mobilizes anticipation to activate the reward circuits in vulnerable players.

Online gambling mobilizes anticipation to activate the reward circuits in vulnerable players.

Diet

Can Eating Be Play?

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on May 6, 2026

Snacking isn't play, even while watching sports on television.

Snacking isn't play, even while watching sports on television.

Politics

Play, Celebrate, Protest: The History of May Day

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on May 1, 2026

Traditional springtime communal celebrations that provided relief and release have historically migrated to political action. This year is no different.

Traditional springtime communal celebrations that provided relief and release have historically migrated to political action. This year is no different.

Play

Play, for All (Hu)mankind: Peeling Out Where No One Had Peeled Out Before

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on April 9, 2026

On busy, risky spacefaring missions, astronauts find play essential for maintaining their well-being.

On busy, risky spacefaring missions, astronauts find play essential for maintaining their well-being.

Play

Reclaiming the Playful Self

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on February 21, 2026

Playfulness can be celebrated, even in serious pursuits. Just witness how Alysa Liu discovered authentic joy in her quest for Olympic gold.

Playfulness can be celebrated, even in serious pursuits. Just witness how Alysa Liu discovered authentic joy in her quest for Olympic gold.

Play

Snow Day! Learning From Free Play

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on January 27, 2026

Playing outside on snow days affords kids crucial lessons that they cannot learn at school.

Playing outside on snow days affords kids crucial lessons that they cannot learn at school.

Leadership

Does Firing a Head Coach Improve a Team’s Prospects?

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on January 20, 2026

A decisive move, firing a successful coach, usually does not pan out.

A decisive move, firing a successful coach, usually does not pan out.

Play

Is Sports Fandom Play?

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on January 15, 2026

Football fans experience anticipation, surprise, pleasure, understanding, and poise, the defining elements of play.

Football fans experience anticipation, surprise, pleasure, understanding, and poise, the defining elements of play.

Child Development

Malice in Wonderland: The Misuse of Classic Children's Lit

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on December 27, 2025

In recent oafish parodies and boorish allusions, Franklin the Turtle and Charlotte the Spider go to war.

In recent oafish parodies and boorish allusions, Franklin the Turtle and Charlotte the Spider go to war.

Migraine

Riding the Orbiting Teapot: Belief, Conspiracy Theories, and Delusion

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on December 9, 2025

In a playful analogy, a philosopher probes the trouble with belief.

In a playful analogy, a philosopher probes the trouble with belief.

Evolutionary Psychology

Do Not Call Today’s Authoritarian Bullies “Wolves”

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on November 14, 2025

Your soft, merry prankster, your best canine friend who gives you unconditional love, is a wolf at heart.

Your soft, merry prankster, your best canine friend who gives you unconditional love, is a wolf at heart.

Fear

Halloween, Trust, and Mistrust

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on October 30, 2025

Fraying neighborhood ties help explain the fear of stranger-danger at Halloween.

Fraying neighborhood ties help explain the fear of stranger-danger at Halloween.

Play

5 Ways Play Boosts Trust and Empathy

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on October 27, 2025

Our musical, vocal, and physical intelligences call for cooperation, and we practice it delightfully as play, and when we need it most.

Our musical, vocal, and physical intelligences call for cooperation, and we practice it delightfully as play, and when we need it most.

Gaslighting

Gaslighting, Gerrymandering, and Sanewashing

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on September 15, 2025

Attempting to clarify incoherent or empty political speech risks endorsing it.

Attempting to clarify incoherent or empty political speech risks endorsing it.