Understanding Health Behaviors

Bias

How Much Psychology Can You Really Trust?

Richard Brown PhD on August 13, 2026

What if psychology's most popular ideas aren't as solid as they seem? Weak evidence has a way of becoming conventional wisdom, but scepticism can protect us from being misled.

What if psychology's most popular ideas aren't as solid as they seem? Weak evidence has a way of becoming conventional wisdom, but scepticism can protect us from being misled.

Identity

You Had So Much Potential. What Went Wrong?

Richard Brown PhD on August 11, 2026

What happens when “special” little girls and boys grow into ordinary adults?

What happens when “special” little girls and boys grow into ordinary adults?

Motivation

Trapped in a Meaningless Job? It May Be Hurting Your Health

Richard Brown PhD on August 21, 2025

Is your job pointless—or just buried in bureaucracy? Discover the toll your job may be taking on your health, and simple ways to reclaim purpose right where you are.

Is your job pointless—or just buried in bureaucracy? Discover the toll your job may be taking on your health, and simple ways to reclaim purpose right where you are.

Health

Do You Feel Safe? It Matters More Than You Think

Richard Brown PhD on February 13, 2025

It's not just about avoiding danger; safety is a key to better overall health. Here's why.

It's not just about avoiding danger; safety is a key to better overall health. Here's why.

Diet

Semaglutide and Empty Promises of Change

Richard Brown PhD on September 17, 2024

Could the promise of a wonder drug stop us from tackling the behavioral and environmental drivers of the obesity crisis?

Could the promise of a wonder drug stop us from tackling the behavioral and environmental drivers of the obesity crisis?

Depression

Post-Achievement Depression: Overcoming the Slump

Richard Brown PhD on May 17, 2024

Do you think you'll be happy when you accomplish your goals? Understanding how to respond to post-achievement depression can help to regain motivation and move forward.

Do you think you'll be happy when you accomplish your goals? Understanding how to respond to post-achievement depression can help to regain motivation and move forward.

Health

How Healthy Is Healthy Enough?

Richard Brown PhD on May 3, 2024

How much effort should we devote to looking after our health? Everyone has a different answer. Find out why.

How much effort should we devote to looking after our health? Everyone has a different answer. Find out why.

Self-Control

Buddha, Darwin, and Dumbledore: How to Override Our Impulses

Richard Brown PhD on January 27, 2024

Reflecting on common wisdom can help us to make healthier choices.

Reflecting on common wisdom can help us to make healthier choices.

Hoarding

5 Warning Signs You’re a Digital Hoarder

Richard Brown PhD on December 22, 2023

Hoarding in the era of technology.

Hoarding in the era of technology.

Health

Is Your ‘Spidey-Sense’ Affecting Your Behavior?

Richard Brown PhD on October 24, 2023

Our general sense of risk can be a key determinant of our health behaviours.

Our general sense of risk can be a key determinant of our health behaviours.

Mental Health Stigma

Hashtags that Hurt: Health Shaming on Twitter

Richard Brown PhD on October 13, 2023

Stigma can have a devastating impact on health and wellbeing. New research examines the role of Twitter (X) in health-related stigma.

Stigma can have a devastating impact on health and wellbeing. New research examines the role of Twitter (X) in health-related stigma.

Artificial Intelligence

Chatbots: The Future of Healthcare

Richard Brown PhD on September 27, 2023

AI has captured our imagination and promises to change the world. Medical chatbots could revolutionize an overburdened healthcare system and bring new health insights.

AI has captured our imagination and promises to change the world. Medical chatbots could revolutionize an overburdened healthcare system and bring new health insights.

Vaping

The Unexpected Harms of Vaping

Richard Brown PhD on September 25, 2023

The popularity of e-cigarettes has exploded in recent years. Let's consider the safety and hidden risks of vaping from a psychological perspective.

The popularity of e-cigarettes has exploded in recent years. Let's consider the safety and hidden risks of vaping from a psychological perspective.

Relationships

7 Strategies for Healthy Eating in Your Relationship

Richard Brown PhD on May 26, 2023

Healthy eating in relationships can be difficult. Simple steps can improve health and strengthen connections.

Healthy eating in relationships can be difficult. Simple steps can improve health and strengthen connections.

Confidence

Do We Trust the Police?

Richard Brown PhD on April 28, 2023

Trust in the police has fallen in recent years. What can the police do to build the trust of the communities they serve?

Trust in the police has fallen in recent years. What can the police do to build the trust of the communities they serve?

Relationships

Cancer and Heart Disease: Can We Control the Risks?

Richard Brown PhD on April 21, 2023

Beliefs about the controllability of cancer and heart disease can impact our health behaviors. New research highlights the importance of lifestyle for reducing rates of disease.

Beliefs about the controllability of cancer and heart disease can impact our health behaviors. New research highlights the importance of lifestyle for reducing rates of disease.

Alcoholism

What Most People Don't Understand About Alcohol and Drug Use

Richard Brown PhD on April 14, 2023

When it comes to drugs and alcohol, perceptions don’t always reflect reality. Understanding the psychology of risk perceptions can help us make better decisions.

When it comes to drugs and alcohol, perceptions don’t always reflect reality. Understanding the psychology of risk perceptions can help us make better decisions.

Diet

3 Ways to Stop Ordering Takeout

Richard Brown PhD on January 3, 2023

Food delivery services are effective at seducing customers to order unhealthy meals. Three steps can help you to gain control and make better food choices.

Food delivery services are effective at seducing customers to order unhealthy meals. Three steps can help you to gain control and make better food choices.

Depression

Feeling Sad at Christmas: Is There Something Wrong With Me?

Richard Brown PhD on December 19, 2022

Pressure to be happy during the holidays can lead to depression and anxiety. Avoiding self-diagnosis and recognizing changes around you can improve well-being.

Pressure to be happy during the holidays can lead to depression and anxiety. Avoiding self-diagnosis and recognizing changes around you can improve well-being.

Motivation

5 Steps to Getting Out of a Rut

Richard Brown PhD on October 2, 2022

We all lose our spark from time to time. These simple steps can help to get it back.

We all lose our spark from time to time. These simple steps can help to get it back.