Ritual and the Brain

Decision-Making

The Stress of Making the Right Choice

​​​​​​​Nick Hobson, Ph.D., Leandra McIntosh, and Maryam Marashi on July 8, 2019

Feeling stressed about making the "right" choice? New research can tell you why (and what to do about it).

Feeling stressed about making the "right" choice? New research can tell you why (and what to do about it).

Mating

Is It Time to Delete Our Dating Apps?

​​​​​​​Nick Hobson, Ph.D., Leandra McIntosh, and Maryam Marashi on May 15, 2019

Dating apps have changed the psychology of meeting others. New products are making sure those changes are for the better.

Dating apps have changed the psychology of meeting others. New products are making sure those changes are for the better.

Anxiety

Our Anxiety Is Rooted in the American Way of Over-Analyzing

​​​​​​​Nick Hobson, Ph.D., Leandra McIntosh, and Maryam Marashi on February 4, 2019

The solution to reducing our Western anxiety? Trying not to try to reduce our anxiety.

The solution to reducing our Western anxiety? Trying not to try to reduce our anxiety.

Creativity

How Imagination Can Make You a Better Negotiator

​​​​​​​Nick Hobson, Ph.D., Leandra McIntosh, and Maryam Marashi on January 29, 2019

Are you a sub-par negotiator? Good news: It's all in your head.

Are you a sub-par negotiator? Good news: It's all in your head.

Emotional Intelligence

The Emotional Intelligence of Meetings

​​​​​​​Nick Hobson, Ph.D., Leandra McIntosh, and Maryam Marashi on January 25, 2019

Are you tired of all the boring meetings? Some emotional intelligence can elevate those workplace gatherings.

Are you tired of all the boring meetings? Some emotional intelligence can elevate those workplace gatherings.

Resilience

Turning Failure into Fuel for Success

​​​​​​​Nick Hobson, Ph.D., Leandra McIntosh, and Maryam Marashi on December 5, 2018

Caught in the cycle of failure? Feeling stuck? Not to worry. According to the latest science, failure is the key to your success.

Caught in the cycle of failure? Feeling stuck? Not to worry. According to the latest science, failure is the key to your success.

Flow

Five Steps to Cultivate a State of Flow for More Happiness

​​​​​​​Nick Hobson, Ph.D., Leandra McIntosh, and Maryam Marashi on November 28, 2018

Stuck in a rut? Follow these five steps to find your state of flow and experience greater happiness.

Stuck in a rut? Follow these five steps to find your state of flow and experience greater happiness.

Motivation

The Unexpected Science of Fresh Starts and Failures

​​​​​​​Nick Hobson, Ph.D., Leandra McIntosh, and Maryam Marashi on November 22, 2018

When hitting goals, it sometimes helps to start over and hit the reset button. But fresh starts can also backfire and hurt our performance.

When hitting goals, it sometimes helps to start over and hit the reset button. But fresh starts can also backfire and hurt our performance.

Personality

What a Bunch of Bull: The Art and Science of BS

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on June 30, 2018

Knowing when someone is full of BS, and how to protect yourself from it.

Knowing when someone is full of BS, and how to protect yourself from it.

Self-Control

You Have More Control Over Your Self-Control Than You Think

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on June 1, 2018

Self-control used to be thought of as a finite resource. Now, new research says it may be all about your perspective.

Self-control used to be thought of as a finite resource. Now, new research says it may be all about your perspective.

Identity

Why You Feel Regret—and What You Can Do About It

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on May 24, 2018

What you regret and why has a lot to do with how you see yourself.

What you regret and why has a lot to do with how you see yourself.

Self-Control

Why You Can't Bring Yourself to Plan Things When Stressed

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on May 14, 2018

Feeling stressed? You might be adding to your anxiety by not planning your life properly. New science explains.

Feeling stressed? You might be adding to your anxiety by not planning your life properly. New science explains.

Anxiety

The Neural Mechanisms of Anxiety and Shortness of Breath

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on May 2, 2018

Have you ever had the uncomfortable experience of feeling short of breath during a state of anxiety? New research uncovers the mystery as it happens in the brain.

Have you ever had the uncomfortable experience of feeling short of breath during a state of anxiety? New research uncovers the mystery as it happens in the brain.

Does FOMO get you down? Knowing its psychological basis can help you better understand how to predicts its causes and effects.

Stress

Why Your Brain on Stress Fails to Learn Properly

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on April 2, 2018

Ever wondered why you "blank" during a test? Neural mechanisms help explain how stress impedes memory and learning functions.

Ever wondered why you "blank" during a test? Neural mechanisms help explain how stress impedes memory and learning functions.

Narcissism

Why the Narcissist in Your Life Is So Hard to Understand

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on March 20, 2018

Ever tried to "pin down" a narcissist? A new model attempts to reconcile conflicting views on the unique personality features of narcissism.

Ever tried to "pin down" a narcissist? A new model attempts to reconcile conflicting views on the unique personality features of narcissism.

Psychopathy

Fund Managers with Psychopathic Traits Get You Less Money

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on March 12, 2018

Psychopathic and narcissistic tendencies in hedge-fund managers are associated with poorer financial performance.

Psychopathic and narcissistic tendencies in hedge-fund managers are associated with poorer financial performance.

Happiness

The Million-Dollar Link Between Wealth and Happiness

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on February 27, 2018

Millionaire wealth is predictive of happiness and life satisfaction, especially for the top earners. But what also matters is how that wealth is acquired.

Millionaire wealth is predictive of happiness and life satisfaction, especially for the top earners. But what also matters is how that wealth is acquired.

Cognition

Create a Narrative to Better Yourself

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on February 21, 2018

Life is marked by a series of successes and failures. What do you do with them? New research says personal narratives are key to goal persistence and achievement.

Life is marked by a series of successes and failures. What do you do with them? New research says personal narratives are key to goal persistence and achievement.

Neuroscience

Neural Basis of Why We Fail to Control Unwanted Thoughts

Nick Hobson Ph.D. on February 20, 2018

Ever wondered how your brain is able to control those pesky negative thoughts that pop into your mind? Neuroscientists give new insight.

Ever wondered how your brain is able to control those pesky negative thoughts that pop into your mind? Neuroscientists give new insight.