This Is America

Philosophy

Life Lessons From a Roman Philosopher

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on June 30, 2026

Is skepticism a good guide for living well? And why are human beings 'obligatorily gregarious?'

Is skepticism a good guide for living well? And why are human beings 'obligatorily gregarious?'

Magical Thinking

Examining the Enduring Appeal of Astrology

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on June 9, 2026

Do people born at the exact same time have similar personalities?

Do people born at the exact same time have similar personalities?

Boredom

Is Boredom a Disease?

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on May 19, 2026

Should boredom be treated with medication?

Should boredom be treated with medication?

Marriage

Why Are Fewer Americans Getting Married?

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on May 12, 2026

In the book "For Better and Worse," author Stephanie Coontz analyzes the gradual erosion of marriage in the United States.

In the book "For Better and Worse," author Stephanie Coontz analyzes the gradual erosion of marriage in the United States.

Emotion Regulation

How Social, Cultural, and Political Structures Influence Our Feelings

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on March 17, 2026

How have modern values affected emotions?

How have modern values affected emotions?

Emotion Regulation

Coping With Our ‘Bad’ Emotions Isn’t Easy

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on February 24, 2026

What information do dark emotions provide?

What information do dark emotions provide?

Consciousness

The (Perhaps) Unsolvable Mysteries of Consciousness

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on February 17, 2026

What are the barriers to building conscious artificial intelligence systems?

What are the barriers to building conscious artificial intelligence systems?

Free Will

How and Why We Use, Downplay, or Ignore Evidence

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on January 13, 2026

What cognitive biases impair reasoning?

What cognitive biases impair reasoning?

Memory

Science Fiction Descriptions of Memory Manipulation May Become a Reality

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on October 28, 2025

Are the most accurate memories the ones we never recall?

Are the most accurate memories the ones we never recall?

Anxiety

The Virtues of Horror and Gore

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on October 7, 2025

A new book asks: Are morbidly curious people more empathetic and resilient?

A new book asks: Are morbidly curious people more empathetic and resilient?

Cross-Cultural Psychology

The Social Functions of Common Knowledge

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on September 23, 2025

In "When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows", published today, Steven Pinker examines “common knowledge.”

In "When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows", published today, Steven Pinker examines “common knowledge.”

Decision-Making

At Its Best, Decision-Making Is an Art as Well as a Science

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on September 9, 2025

What factors should go into decision-making?

What factors should go into decision-making?

Gender

In Families, Women Still Do Most of the Cognitive Work

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on August 19, 2025

How can we reduce gender inequities in household labor?

How can we reduce gender inequities in household labor?

Self-Talk

The Underappreciated Importance of Talking

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on June 3, 2025

Should parents encourage “baby talk” and pretend play?

Should parents encourage “baby talk” and pretend play?

Genetics

A New Approach to Treating Brain Disorders

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on May 22, 2025

What is the “broken chain” framework for addressing brain disorders?

What is the “broken chain” framework for addressing brain disorders?

Environment

Eavesdropping on Noise Pollution

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on May 6, 2025

A review of Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back.

A review of Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back.

Cognition

How to Train Our Brains’ Value Systems

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on April 22, 2025

How do we influence the brain’s value system?

How do we influence the brain’s value system?

Memory

How Malleable Are Memories?

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on March 18, 2025

Do false memories have an upside? A new book explains.

Do false memories have an upside? A new book explains.

Genetics

How Our Genes Work Through the Environment

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on March 11, 2025

What factors explain differences between children in the same family?

What factors explain differences between children in the same family?

Anxiety

Living With Anxiety

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on March 5, 2025

What measures can best reduce anxiety? The book 'A Narrowing' by clinical psychologist Alexandra Shaker may hold some answers.

What measures can best reduce anxiety? The book 'A Narrowing' by clinical psychologist Alexandra Shaker may hold some answers.