Science of Choice

Habit Formation

The Power of the Intentional Pause

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on February 28, 2026

Slowing things down and deliberately paying attention to each aspect of our sensory experience can reveal things that we may have never noticed before.

Slowing things down and deliberately paying attention to each aspect of our sensory experience can reveal things that we may have never noticed before.

Imagination

The Benefits of Imagination

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on January 27, 2026

Imagination expands alternatives and possibilities and guides our decision-making by playing them out in our minds.

Imagination expands alternatives and possibilities and guides our decision-making by playing them out in our minds.

Imagination

What Is Imagination?

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on January 14, 2026

Imagination enables one to look beyond the world as it is. This is how.

Imagination enables one to look beyond the world as it is. This is how.

Motivation

Setting Effective Goals

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on December 9, 2025

Goal setting is the act of selecting a target or objective you wish to achieve. Here's how to do it effectively.

Goal setting is the act of selecting a target or objective you wish to achieve. Here's how to do it effectively.

Education

The Principles of Learning Any Complex Skill

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on November 26, 2025

Music is a promising tool for improving cognition and promoting well-being.

Music is a promising tool for improving cognition and promoting well-being.

Creativity

The Power of Repetition

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on October 30, 2025

Repetition is the foundation of mastery and a pathway to success in any field.

Repetition is the foundation of mastery and a pathway to success in any field.

Education

How Music Can Help You Flourish

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on September 4, 2025

Music learning can help individuals at any age to develop and experience happiness, self-awareness, confidence, autonomy, and connection.

Music learning can help individuals at any age to develop and experience happiness, self-awareness, confidence, autonomy, and connection.

Cognition

Physical Experiences Influence the Way We Think and Learn

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on August 20, 2025

The mind and body work together to aid cognition and ultimately learning.

The mind and body work together to aid cognition and ultimately learning.

Social Life

Being Together in Time

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on July 31, 2025

Synchronization with each other by means of auditory and visual communication channels may lead to feelings of togetherness that are socially rewarding.

Synchronization with each other by means of auditory and visual communication channels may lead to feelings of togetherness that are socially rewarding.

Behavioral Economics

How Do We Feel the Passage of Time?

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on July 1, 2025

Our personal experience of time stretches and shrinks depending on context.

Our personal experience of time stretches and shrinks depending on context.

Fantasies

Music and Mental Imagery

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on June 24, 2025

Visual imagery plays a key role in enhancing emotional experiences and enjoyment of music.

Visual imagery plays a key role in enhancing emotional experiences and enjoyment of music.

Creativity

The Power of Dance and Its Benefits for Mind and Body

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on May 28, 2025

Dance interventions can be beneficial in improving the quality of life, balance, and mobility in older patients.

Dance interventions can be beneficial in improving the quality of life, balance, and mobility in older patients.

Anxiety

Standing in the Spotlight: Ways to Cope With Performance Anxiety

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on April 9, 2025

The ideal performance requires one to shift attention away from the self and the audience and direct it toward the work being delivered.

The ideal performance requires one to shift attention away from the self and the audience and direct it toward the work being delivered.

Happiness

How to Prolong Positive Feelings

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on March 20, 2025

Pacing reward means deliberately scaling back stimulation in order to prolong a pleasant experience.

Pacing reward means deliberately scaling back stimulation in order to prolong a pleasant experience.

Imagination

Music and Imagination

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on February 20, 2025

Like reading fiction, the experience of music relies on, and influences, our imagination.

Like reading fiction, the experience of music relies on, and influences, our imagination.

Emotions

The Healing Power of Sad Music

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on January 14, 2025

People tend to listen to sad music more often when they are alone, in emotional distress, feeling lonely, or in an introspective mood.

People tend to listen to sad music more often when they are alone, in emotional distress, feeling lonely, or in an introspective mood.

Emotions

How Does Music Evoke Emotion?

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on December 25, 2024

Music allows you to release the emotions you're already feeling.

Music allows you to release the emotions you're already feeling.

Happiness

The Role of Music in Our Lives

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on December 2, 2024

Musical appreciation is universally found in all human cultures unless it is deliberately banned by authority.

Musical appreciation is universally found in all human cultures unless it is deliberately banned by authority.

Attention

The Link Between Attention and Music

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on October 23, 2024

Listening to music can help make boring assignments easier to endure. Here's how.

Listening to music can help make boring assignments easier to endure. Here's how.

Social Media

Revealing the Self: What Drives the Decision to Disclose?

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on October 10, 2024

Disclosure is an important part of emotional processing and can improve health and well-being.

Disclosure is an important part of emotional processing and can improve health and well-being.