Let Their Words Do the Talking

Parenting

Fibs to Facts: The Truth Bias in Parents

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on September 21, 2025

Children usually tell the truth, but if they become evasive, it may indicate they've done something you wouldn't approve of or that they wish to avoid a sensitive subject.

Children usually tell the truth, but if they become evasive, it may indicate they've done something you wouldn't approve of or that they wish to avoid a sensitive subject.

Artificial Intelligence

Liars Can Defeat AI Algorithms Using One Simple Technique

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on June 11, 2025

Miller's Law states, "To understand what another person is saying, you must first assume what the person said is true and then try to imagine what it could be true of."

Miller's Law states, "To understand what another person is saying, you must first assume what the person said is true and then try to imagine what it could be true of."

Artificial Intelligence

The Silent Erosion of Our Critical Thinking Skills

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on March 23, 2025

Overreliance on artificial intelligence may diminish critical thinking skills.

Overreliance on artificial intelligence may diminish critical thinking skills.

Deception

Pitfalls to Detecting Deception

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on January 7, 2025

Accurate lie detection requires a nuanced understanding of human behavior.

Accurate lie detection requires a nuanced understanding of human behavior.

Persuasion

Unveiling the Enthymeme

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on January 3, 2025

The enthymeme is a powerful rhetorical tool to influence and persuade others. Here's what it is—and how it's used.

The enthymeme is a powerful rhetorical tool to influence and persuade others. Here's what it is—and how it's used.

Relationships

Pivot to the Positive

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on February 23, 2024

Snarky comments are subtle put-downs that elevate one person above another person. Here's a healthy way to respond.

Snarky comments are subtle put-downs that elevate one person above another person. Here's a healthy way to respond.

Anxiety

The Anxious Mind

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on December 4, 2023

Anticipatory anxiety can cause crippling disruptions in daily life.

Anticipatory anxiety can cause crippling disruptions in daily life.

Deception

Pacifying Gestures May Indicate Deception

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on November 22, 2023

Pacifying gestures may serve as an indicator of deception in adults.

Pacifying gestures may serve as an indicator of deception in adults.

Deception

Look at People's Hands to Determine Veracity

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on November 21, 2023

Truthful people tend to use illustrators, and deceptive people tend not to use illustrators.

Truthful people tend to use illustrators, and deceptive people tend not to use illustrators.

Anxiety

Eyelid Flutter May Indicate Deception

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on June 14, 2023

A person's eyelids may betray them, especially when they are lying.

A person's eyelids may betray them, especially when they are lying.

Deception

Sniffing Out Deception

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on June 11, 2023

When individuals feel uncomfortable or nervous while lying, they may exhibit increased fidgeting behaviors, including nose scratching.

When individuals feel uncomfortable or nervous while lying, they may exhibit increased fidgeting behaviors, including nose scratching.

Deception

Shoulder Shrugs May Signal Deception

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on June 10, 2023

When people are deceitful or trying to conceal information, a shoulder shrug may indicate deception.

When people are deceitful or trying to conceal information, a shoulder shrug may indicate deception.

Relationships

Dispelling One Myth of Courtship Behavior

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on March 26, 2023

Men think they are in charge of the courtship ritual, but that is not the case.

Men think they are in charge of the courtship ritual, but that is not the case.

Relationships

Love at First Sight

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on March 19, 2023

Love is not a magical feeling but a powerful chemical cocktail in the brain.

Love is not a magical feeling but a powerful chemical cocktail in the brain.

Deception

'Just' Is Not Just a Word

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on March 18, 2023

"Just" is a simple word but reveals complex personality traits that most people prefer to remain unspoken, except in intimate relationships.

"Just" is a simple word but reveals complex personality traits that most people prefer to remain unspoken, except in intimate relationships.

Bullying

School Bullies: From the Playground to the Computer

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on December 22, 2022

School administrators and police officials cannot be held responsible for not stopping cyberbullying if the victims do not report the attacks.

School administrators and police officials cannot be held responsible for not stopping cyberbullying if the victims do not report the attacks.

Serial Killers

Serial Killers Arouse Insatiable Curiosity

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on December 20, 2022

The allure of serial homicides has become a part of the American psyche.

The allure of serial homicides has become a part of the American psyche.

Decision-Making

The Importance of Decision-Making Skills for Kids

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on November 20, 2022

A Personal Perspective: People often feel great relief when they make decisions.

A Personal Perspective: People often feel great relief when they make decisions.

Neuroscience

The Science Behind the Polygraph Machine

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on September 18, 2022

The polygraph monitors record three autonomic nervous system responses.

The polygraph monitors record three autonomic nervous system responses.

Mating

Attraction Is the First Step to a Meaningful Relationship

Jack Schafer Ph.D. on September 17, 2022

People tend to like to associate with individuals who display high levels of self-confidence.

People tend to like to associate with individuals who display high levels of self-confidence.