Points On the Board

Happiness

Does the Pursuit of Happiness Lead to a Better Life?

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on October 30, 2024

New research reveals that chasing happiness as a goal might actually lower well-being. Discover why focusing on meaningful activities could be a better path to a fulfilling life.

Decision-Making

Why No-Preference Communication Backfires

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on May 8, 2023

Group decision-making tip: Be honest and share your preferences. A "no-preference communication" can backfire, leading to resentment and bad decisions.

Decision-Making

What Is Risk?

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on May 9, 2020

Risk applies to us as much as it does to football superstars.

Trust

Can You Measure the Mental Health of a Sports Team?

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on May 8, 2020

Can factors like trust be measured for a sports team? And if so, would it help?

Health

Do People Who Disclose Mental Health Concerns Earn Less?

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on March 3, 2020

New research suggests people still hold a stigma.

Identity

Hooligans Aren’t Destroyers—They’re Protectors

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on December 12, 2019

Research shows fan violence is motivated by group commitment and not a need to destroy.

Neuroticism

Neurotics Are Better at Faster Decisions

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on November 27, 2019

Research shows speed-accuracy trade-offs don’t occur for highly neurotic people, making them better at faster decisions.

Sport and Competition

An Alternative to the Hot Hand Effect?

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on November 25, 2019

Is the hot hand real, or are there alternatives? Research provides evidence for a winner effect.

Trauma

Silence of the Klaw: Trauma and Emotional Processing

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on November 21, 2019

Teenage trauma may help explain Kawhi Leonard's lack of emotionality.

Projection

When Your First Choice Is Your Best Choice

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on November 8, 2019

Assume thinking through all your options leads to better results? Research actually shows that choosing the first option that comes to mind may be the better choice.

Sport and Competition

Are Advanced Analytics Even Real?

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on July 4, 2019

Do you know what "advanced analytics" are? You can use these same sports principles to improve your own life. Here's one way.

Happiness

Does Happiness Increase Productivity?

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on July 2, 2019

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, two of the NBA’s most perplexing superstars, provide a window into the link between happiness and productivity.

Decision-Making

The Day Bol Bol Fell

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on June 21, 2019

Bol Bol fell out of the first round of the 2019 NBA draft. His fall can be attributed to pervasive risk aversion.

Psychology

The Psychology Behind Drafting Zion Williamson

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on June 20, 2019

In a world filled with risk, Zion Williamson provides the New Orleans Pelicans the perfect combination of potential and safety we all crave.

Resilience

What It Takes to Be a Champion

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on June 19, 2019

Part 1: How the Toronto Raptors exemplified resilience in ways we can all learn from.

Sport and Competition

Making Super Bowl Decisions

Josh Gonzales PhD(c) on February 2, 2019

The beauty in football, and any other sport, lies in what it can teach us about human behavior more generally.