Psych Unseen

Brain, Behavior and Belief

Joe Pierre M.D.

Will Elon Musk Make Twitter a Wild West of Misinformation?

Removing content moderation and allowing anyone to buy a blue check is not the way to become "the most accurate source of information in the world."

Does Violent Political Rhetoric Lead to Real Violence?

The more we normalize violent political speech, the more we can expect political violence in our future.

Impact of the Economy on Swing Voters

As we head into the midterm elections, voters can’t afford altruism.

Mistrust, Misinformation, and the Possibility of Civil War in America

Widespread false beliefs aren't a symptom of individual mental illness but a sick society and ailing democracy.

Tin Foil Hats: Tired Trope or Sign of the Times?

From clothing to jewelry to electronic devices, modern-day tin foil hats are big business that exploit fears about technology.

What the Fentanyl? The Straight Dope on a Synthetic Opioid

Fentanyl is the number one cause of opioid overdoses, but the medication has important medicinal uses, and myths about aerosolized fentanyl exposure abound.

The Anxiety Paradox

The more we try to run from our fears, the stronger they become.

Scientific Expertise vs. the Dunning-Kruger Effect

A conversation with Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess.

Why Don't People Believe in Climate Change?

Climate change denialism takes many forms and has many causes, but it's not the biggest challenge of fighting global warming.

Misinformation and Trauma: How to Watch a War Online

In the internet era, staying informed about a war means steering clear of misinformation while not taking in so much that we feel hopeless.

Does "Mass Formation Psychosis" Really Exist?

Claims of "mass delusion" and "mass formation psychosis" are being used inappropriately as pejoratives to denigrate our ideological opponents and advance political agendas.

No, The Problem With America Isn't "Mass Psychosis"

Widespread belief in conspiracy theories and other falsehoods is more a symptom of a sick society than individual psychopathology.

Suicide: Myths, Mental Illness, and Morality

Much of what we're taught about suicide constitutes a kind of "othering" that misleadingly separates us from those at risk.

Can Conspiracy Theory Beliefs Be Treated?

When addressing conspiracy theory beliefs in therapy, interventions can be matched to five stages of ideological conviction.

Conspiracy Theories Aren't Delusions

Conspiracy theory beliefs are more a reflection of a sick society than individual mental illness.

Why Trust Science?

In an era where personal truth is often valued above facts, it has been claimed that science is in crisis.

Does Suicide Risk Assessment Really Prevent Suicide?

The gold standard for suicide risk assessment is "get to know your patient." Don't checklist them.

Suicide in the Pandemic: A Prediction That Didn't Come True

Why were the experts so wrong about pandemic suicide prognostication?

Gun Violence During COVID-19: An Epidemic in the Pandemic

How fears of civil unrest and a "zombie apocalypse" have led to more firearm deaths.

From Flying Objects to Aerial Phenomena: Still Unidentified

While inconclusive, a new government report offers some validation for those who want to believe.

Psychedelics in Psychiatry: New Data Supporting an Old Idea

A new study supports the efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD.

What Can We Do to Combat Political Polarization?

Navigating a divided America with cognitive flexibility.

4 Ways to Become a Better Consumer of Online Information

Learning to spot misinformation on the internet is an essential modern skill.

Can You Bullshit a Bullshitter?

Bullshitters may have a blindspot for other people's bullshit and spreading it around.

For QAnon Believers Facing Reality, What Happens Now?

Has the inauguration driven adherents' cognitive dissonance to a breaking point?

Alternate Realities: A Tale of Two Echo Chambers

Americans are increasingly seeing and believing two opposing views of reality.

A Lifeline for Older People in the Pandemic

For the elderly, talk therapy can be a lifeline during troubled times.

COVID-20 and the Year of the Conspiracy Theory

COVID conspiracy theories may have Darwinian consequences in 2021.

Gang Stalking: A Case of Mass Hysteria?

Can the internet induce paranoia through mass suggestion?

Gang Stalking: Conspiracy, Delusion, and Shared Belief

When group affiliation reinforces delusion-like beliefs.

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