The Unknown Mind

Relationships

Love Does Not Come With an Extended Warranty

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on August 9, 2026

We guard ourselves against heartbreak in ways that may weaken the bond. Here is what the research suggests actually covers you—and it is not a promise.

We guard ourselves against heartbreak in ways that may weaken the bond. Here is what the research suggests actually covers you—and it is not a promise.

Addiction

What the Lottery Ticket Knows About Addiction

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on August 8, 2026

A student bought a lottery ticket so he couldn’t fail his exam: "Two bad lucks can’t happen in one day." The same certainty, in another man, proved fatal.

A student bought a lottery ticket so he couldn’t fail his exam: "Two bad lucks can’t happen in one day." The same certainty, in another man, proved fatal.

Transgender

The Question About Transgender Youth That Adults Struggle to Answer

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on August 7, 2026

A transgender teen, relentlessly bullied for her gender expression, asked me tearfully whom she was harming. I've yet to hear an adult answer it well.

A transgender teen, relentlessly bullied for her gender expression, asked me tearfully whom she was harming. I've yet to hear an adult answer it well.

Cognitive Reappraisal

On Childhood Trauma, Growth, and Being the Author of Your Story

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on August 6, 2026

My mentor’s strangest advice, the most puzzling sentence I tell my students, and the science of deciding what your past means.

My mentor’s strangest advice, the most puzzling sentence I tell my students, and the science of deciding what your past means.

Intuition

"You're a Psychologist. You Know..."

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on August 5, 2026

After 30 years in psychology, I keep hearing the same phrase—often followed by something that my field rejected decades ago. The interesting part is why we all do this.

After 30 years in psychology, I keep hearing the same phrase—often followed by something that my field rejected decades ago. The interesting part is why we all do this.

Friends

What Your GPS Knows About Friendship

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on August 4, 2026

Miss a turn, and your GPS never sighs, blames, or brings up last time. It recalculates—the best model of compassion on the market.

Miss a turn, and your GPS never sighs, blames, or brings up last time. It recalculates—the best model of compassion on the market.

Resilience

Healing Is a Time-Release Capsule

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on August 3, 2026

Healing is not instant—it is a time-release capsule with strange mathematics, where 2 + 2 sometimes equals 10. And self-compassion is its engine.

Healing is not instant—it is a time-release capsule with strange mathematics, where 2 + 2 sometimes equals 10. And self-compassion is its engine.

Resilience

The Power of Small Words

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on August 2, 2026

'Mama.' 'Home.' Two ordinary words, two lives changed. Why the smallest words reach us where the greatest quotations cannot.

'Mama.' 'Home.' Two ordinary words, two lives changed. Why the smallest words reach us where the greatest quotations cannot.

Resilience

What Decides Whether a Day Is Seized?

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on August 1, 2026

In a hospice room with no flowers and no visitors, a retired teacher with a sticky note reading "carpe diem" showed me what actually makes a day count.

In a hospice room with no flowers and no visitors, a retired teacher with a sticky note reading "carpe diem" showed me what actually makes a day count.

Relationships

Stop Looking for Someone to Make You Laugh

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on July 31, 2026

"They should make me laugh" tops nearly every partner wish list. Research suggests this common wish contains a hidden trap—and a one-word fix.

"They should make me laugh" tops nearly every partner wish list. Research suggests this common wish contains a hidden trap—and a one-word fix.

Artificial Intelligence

Is AI Becoming the Third Person in Your Relationship?

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on July 30, 2026

AI can prepare you for hard conversations with your partner—or protect you from ever having them. One question can help you tell the difference.

AI can prepare you for hard conversations with your partner—or protect you from ever having them. One question can help you tell the difference.

Forgiveness

The Art of the Apology

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on July 28, 2026

Why do so many apologies make things worse? Research points to five steps that separate apologies that heal from those that backfire.

Why do so many apologies make things worse? Research points to five steps that separate apologies that heal from those that backfire.

Cognition

Your Brain Needs a Cognitive Immune System

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on July 27, 2026

Misinformation doesn’t fool us because we’re careless—it exploits how the brain is built. A five-minute daily practice can train a mind to catch manipulation before it takes hold.

Misinformation doesn’t fool us because we’re careless—it exploits how the brain is built. A five-minute daily practice can train a mind to catch manipulation before it takes hold.