Thoughts on Thinking

Wisdom

5 Traits of Wisdom

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on January 8, 2026

Despite troubles defining wisdom, consideration of the research reveals some "broader strokes" with respect to what we mean.

Despite troubles defining wisdom, consideration of the research reveals some "broader strokes" with respect to what we mean.

Nostalgia

Considering the Ups and Downs of Nostalgia

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on December 10, 2025

Personal Perspective: Nostalgia gives us pleasant reminiscence and an often useful coping strategy, but too much sentimentality can bias us against appreciating the present.

Personal Perspective: Nostalgia gives us pleasant reminiscence and an often useful coping strategy, but too much sentimentality can bias us against appreciating the present.

Cognition

Knowledge Doesn’t Exist the Way We Think It Does

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on November 19, 2025

Knowledge can ‘change’ — and I don’t mean this in some kind of ‘fake news’, post-modernist, living in a simulation kind of way.

Knowledge can ‘change’ — and I don’t mean this in some kind of ‘fake news’, post-modernist, living in a simulation kind of way.

Cognition

The Lessons of “The Trick-or-Treat Study”

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on October 30, 2025

Be mindful of your candy bowls and loose change when you open your doors to masked children in groups.

Be mindful of your candy bowls and loose change when you open your doors to masked children in groups.

Fear

What Makes Us Scared?

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on October 15, 2025

Anything can be scary, it just depends on how we dress it up. Give it context—make it feel "off," create intrigue; surprise them at appropriate times—be unpredictable.

Anything can be scary, it just depends on how we dress it up. Give it context—make it feel "off," create intrigue; surprise them at appropriate times—be unpredictable.

Wisdom

Are You Wise? And What Actually Is Wisdom?

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on September 11, 2025

Consider 'wisdom.' What comes to mind? An old man, long white beard, sitting upon folded legs, and eyes closed? Whatever it is, it likely can't exist without critical thinking.

Consider 'wisdom.' What comes to mind? An old man, long white beard, sitting upon folded legs, and eyes closed? Whatever it is, it likely can't exist without critical thinking.

Cognition

Why Adults and Children Can Experience Time So Differently

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on August 28, 2025

Time flies as we get older, but we can slow it down.

Time flies as we get older, but we can slow it down.

Cognition

How Much Do You Trust Expert Opinion?

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on July 16, 2025

Personal Perspective: You may be, understandably, sceptical of ‘authority opinion’; but you certainly should heed ‘expert interpretation.’

Personal Perspective: You may be, understandably, sceptical of ‘authority opinion’; but you certainly should heed ‘expert interpretation.’

Media

Why Is Political Extremism the New Trend?

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on June 26, 2025

More than 30 years ago, John Cleese tongue-in-cheekly recommended becoming an extremist. Why are so many people now unironically taking that advice?

More than 30 years ago, John Cleese tongue-in-cheekly recommended becoming an extremist. Why are so many people now unironically taking that advice?

Cognition

How ‘Sure’ Can You Be About Anything?

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on June 5, 2025

Being right is fun, but being wrong can be costly. Be cautious in your thinking and what information you contribute because... well, how sure can you be?

Being right is fun, but being wrong can be costly. Be cautious in your thinking and what information you contribute because... well, how sure can you be?

Cognition

Critical Thinking in a Nutshell

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on May 15, 2025

Critical thinking is a process of thinking about thinking through purposeful, self-regulated judgment. But what does that mean?

Critical thinking is a process of thinking about thinking through purposeful, self-regulated judgment. But what does that mean?

Cognition

Why You Should Embrace Uncertainty in Your Critical Thinking

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on April 23, 2025

Acknowledging that we don’t know something and embracing that uncertainty can enhance the likelihood of successful thinking and decision-making.

Acknowledging that we don’t know something and embracing that uncertainty can enhance the likelihood of successful thinking and decision-making.

Cognition

Why Is Metacognition So Important for Good Thinking?

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on April 2, 2025

Epistemological understanding, and knowing what thinking skills are necessary to apply, are functions of metacognition.

Epistemological understanding, and knowing what thinking skills are necessary to apply, are functions of metacognition.

Self-Control

Evaluating Tips for Reading More

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on March 12, 2025

There are many tips out there for "reading more," but understanding the psychology behind them is important if you want to successfully integrate them into your life.

There are many tips out there for "reading more," but understanding the psychology behind them is important if you want to successfully integrate them into your life.

Cognition

Why I Stopped Caring About Enhancing Everyone’s Thinking

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on February 20, 2025

Consider, from a practical standpoint, who should be the primary audience of critical thinking instruction.

Consider, from a practical standpoint, who should be the primary audience of critical thinking instruction.

Hoarding

Is Being Materialistic Actually a Bad Thing?

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on January 30, 2025

Personal Perspective: Materialism isn't a bad thing if objects bring you joy, such as through collecting, but it's important to consider moderation and other variables in context.

Personal Perspective: Materialism isn't a bad thing if objects bring you joy, such as through collecting, but it's important to consider moderation and other variables in context.

Fantasies

Want to Read More? The Psychology of Reading Fiction

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on January 7, 2025

A Personal Perspective: Psychologically, reading is good for you, but we don’t all do it. Creating time and finding pieces of interest will facilitate such engagement.

A Personal Perspective: Psychologically, reading is good for you, but we don’t all do it. Creating time and finding pieces of interest will facilitate such engagement.

Manifesting

Manifesting Your Goals From a Critical Thinking Standpoint

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on December 12, 2024

Despite the growing popularity of the concept, "manifesting" what you want won’t work. Don’t be a mug. Don’t be lazy. If you want something in life, work for it.

Despite the growing popularity of the concept, "manifesting" what you want won’t work. Don’t be a mug. Don’t be lazy. If you want something in life, work for it.

Cognition

The Psychology of the Paragraph

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on November 22, 2024

Paragraphs represent an idea unit, like a building block of cognitive architecture; understanding them might not only improve writing but also the way you think about thinking.

Paragraphs represent an idea unit, like a building block of cognitive architecture; understanding them might not only improve writing but also the way you think about thinking.

Fear

6 Short Horror Tales That Will Psychologically Chill You

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on October 28, 2024

Looking for psychologically-driven scary short-fiction? Do shorter and relatable tales work better in our modern times? Try these six tales.

Looking for psychologically-driven scary short-fiction? Do shorter and relatable tales work better in our modern times? Try these six tales.