The First Impression

Social Media

The Landmark Verdict Against Social Media Got It Right

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on March 26, 2026

How is mental health being impacted by social media use, and did the jury in the recent case against Meta and YouTube get it right?

How is mental health being impacted by social media use, and did the jury in the recent case against Meta and YouTube get it right?

Artificial Intelligence

Study Results Identify Perils of AI

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on December 30, 2025

A pair of studies published in 'Nature' and 'Science' both point to the perils of chatbots. Readers are advised to use new technological tools with caution.

A pair of studies published in 'Nature' and 'Science' both point to the perils of chatbots. Readers are advised to use new technological tools with caution.

Social Media

User Beware: Scam Culture in a Digital Age

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on November 13, 2025

Learn how the same mechanisms that allow online scammers to exploit users for profit also underlie troubling threats like extremism, conspiracy thinking, and radicalization.

Learn how the same mechanisms that allow online scammers to exploit users for profit also underlie troubling threats like extremism, conspiracy thinking, and radicalization.

Motivation

Fall Goal: Pick Up a Book

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on October 9, 2025

In an increasingly digitized era, individuals are encouraged to move away from screen time to read time.

In an increasingly digitized era, individuals are encouraged to move away from screen time to read time.

Artificial Intelligence

What Is Lost When Students Turn to AI

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on May 11, 2025

Personal Perspective: Relying on AI to produce academic work undermines the skills that students should be cultivating in a higher education environment.

Personal Perspective: Relying on AI to produce academic work undermines the skills that students should be cultivating in a higher education environment.

Social Media

The Perils of Wellness Content on Social Media Sites

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on April 3, 2025

How accurate is the health and wellness information users are getting on social media sites? How are mis- and disinformation intersecting with health and wellness spaces online?

How accurate is the health and wellness information users are getting on social media sites? How are mis- and disinformation intersecting with health and wellness spaces online?

Social Media

Scam Culture as Reflected in Netflix’s "Apple Cider Vinegar"

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on February 25, 2025

What does "Apple Cider Vinegar," a Netflix release about wellness influencer Belle Gibson, reveal about scam culture? How are social media platforms primary pipelines for mis- and disinformation?

What does "Apple Cider Vinegar," a Netflix release about wellness influencer Belle Gibson, reveal about scam culture? How are social media platforms primary pipelines for mis- and disinformation?

Psychopharmacology

Is Weight Loss Medication a Catalyst for Divorce?

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on February 12, 2025

A recent investigation from the New York Times has emphasized the way that relationships are changing when one partner takes a weight-loss drug.

A recent investigation from the New York Times has emphasized the way that relationships are changing when one partner takes a weight-loss drug.

Mental Health Stigma

Penny’s “Not Guilty” Verdict Puts Stigma on Display

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on December 10, 2024

A Personal Perspective: How does the "not guilty" verdict in the Penny trial represent the intersection of mental illness stigma, stigma against the homeless, and race?

A Personal Perspective: How does the "not guilty" verdict in the Penny trial represent the intersection of mental illness stigma, stigma against the homeless, and race?

Mental Health Stigma

The Discourse Around Mental Health Remains Superficial

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on October 8, 2024

The recent backlash musician Chappell Roan has been experiencing highlights the ways mental illness stigma intersects with celebrity and stan culture.

The recent backlash musician Chappell Roan has been experiencing highlights the ways mental illness stigma intersects with celebrity and stan culture.

Relationships

In What Ways Are Heterosexual Relationships Set Up to Fail?

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on July 13, 2024

Stereotypical notions of masculinity and femininity can complicate romantic pairings. Resources can help navigate the challenges of coupling up in the 21st century.

Stereotypical notions of masculinity and femininity can complicate romantic pairings. Resources can help navigate the challenges of coupling up in the 21st century.

Fear

What if the Snake Is Actually a Hose?

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on June 2, 2024

How does fear affect decision-making? And what can we do to engage in courageous action, in the face of being scared?

How does fear affect decision-making? And what can we do to engage in courageous action, in the face of being scared?

Media

Why You Should Start a Summer Reading List

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on May 28, 2024

Want to immerse yourself in a good book this summer? Check out these three.

Want to immerse yourself in a good book this summer? Check out these three.

Grief

Grief, Surrender, and the Practice of Letting Go

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on March 8, 2024

Personal Perspective: Do you find yourself feeling stuck or held back by strong emotions? You may have unprocessed grief that is the source of some difficulties in your life.

Personal Perspective: Do you find yourself feeling stuck or held back by strong emotions? You may have unprocessed grief that is the source of some difficulties in your life.

Environment

History of Twin Studies

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on January 28, 2024

How are twin studies used to answer questions related to the nature-and-nurture debate?

How are twin studies used to answer questions related to the nature-and-nurture debate?

Media

What’s New in Psychology?

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on October 29, 2023

A brief overview of some of the headlines within the field of psychology. What are researchers publishing right now in the discipline?

A brief overview of some of the headlines within the field of psychology. What are researchers publishing right now in the discipline?

Cross-Cultural Psychology

“Believe Women” Should Be More Than an Empty Tagline

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on September 10, 2023

In what way does pop culture serve as a mood ring for larger trends or values of our culture and society?

In what way does pop culture serve as a mood ring for larger trends or values of our culture and society?

Trauma

Work on the Body as a Pathway to Healing Trauma

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on September 4, 2023

Body-based therapies are proving to play a significant role in healing from trauma. They may offer benefits not seen in more traditional talk and insight-based therapies.

Body-based therapies are proving to play a significant role in healing from trauma. They may offer benefits not seen in more traditional talk and insight-based therapies.

Boredom

How to Make This Summer More Meaningful

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on July 10, 2023

Here are some tips for being more purposeful in how you spend your time.

Here are some tips for being more purposeful in how you spend your time.

Child Development

The Surgeon General Raises an Alarm About Social Media

Azadeh Aalai Ph.D. on May 25, 2023

In what way does being online and on social media specifically pose a risk for young users?

In what way does being online and on social media specifically pose a risk for young users?