Modern Minds

Narcissism

How National Narcissism Fuels Isolation

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on January 19, 2025

People high in national narcissism seek validation for their nation’s greatness but often feel this recognition is lacking. This unmet expectation can lead to social isolation.

People high in national narcissism seek validation for their nation’s greatness but often feel this recognition is lacking. This unmet expectation can lead to social isolation.

Gaslighting

The 5 Worst Psychological Things People Do to Each Other

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 31, 2024

The worst forms of manipulation are those that unravel the sense of self.

The worst forms of manipulation are those that unravel the sense of self.

Depression

Why 'Lizard Brain' Deepens Anxiety and Depression

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 30, 2024

Depressed, anxious, and stuck? Your "lizard brain" may be part of the problem. New research shows how the amygdala helps us to figure out others’ mental states.

Depressed, anxious, and stuck? Your "lizard brain" may be part of the problem. New research shows how the amygdala helps us to figure out others’ mental states.

Suicide

Surging Suicide Rates May Be Cause for Worry

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on October 9, 2024

The annual U.S. suicide rate increased 30 percent between 2000 and 2020, reaching an all-time high in 2023 with 14.7 suicides per 100,000 people. But why?

The annual U.S. suicide rate increased 30 percent between 2000 and 2020, reaching an all-time high in 2023 with 14.7 suicides per 100,000 people. But why?

Social Media

Can't Stop Judging Others? 5 Ways to Undo a Critical Mindset

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 30, 2024

Tired of being quick to judge? From ditching social media to curbing your biases, try these science-backed tips to control the impulse to judge and criticize others.

Tired of being quick to judge? From ditching social media to curbing your biases, try these science-backed tips to control the impulse to judge and criticize others.

Diet

How Glowing Skin Could Reveal a Healthy Gut

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 29, 2024

Those who eat a stable diet of fruits, vegetables, and other carotenoid-rich foods may be perceived as healthy and attractive due to a yellowish glow of skin produced by the diet.

Those who eat a stable diet of fruits, vegetables, and other carotenoid-rich foods may be perceived as healthy and attractive due to a yellowish glow of skin produced by the diet.

Forgiveness

Five Ways to Apologize Like You Mean It

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on July 3, 2024

Discover the science of sincere apologies with five research-backed strategies to repair relationships and rebuild trust in any social or professional setting.

Discover the science of sincere apologies with five research-backed strategies to repair relationships and rebuild trust in any social or professional setting.

Beauty

4 Core Bio-Markers of Human Beauty

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on June 30, 2024

4. Believe it or not, gut health.

4. Believe it or not, gut health.

Guilt

I'll Never Tell: Rethinking the Psychology of Secrecy

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on June 25, 2024

In the new psychology of secrecy, it's not the act of concealment that has a negative impact on mental health but, rather, the constant, almost obsessive, rumination.

In the new psychology of secrecy, it's not the act of concealment that has a negative impact on mental health but, rather, the constant, almost obsessive, rumination.

Education

30 Million College Grade Records Reveal the Power of Names

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on June 24, 2024

Students with surnames earlier in the alphabet tend to receive higher grades compared to their counterparts with later alphabetical placements. What's going on?

Students with surnames earlier in the alphabet tend to receive higher grades compared to their counterparts with later alphabetical placements. What's going on?

Education

How Your Brain Uses 3 Pathways to Knowledge

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 31, 2024

Psychology, like other disciplines, uses the scientific method to acquire knowledge and uncover truths—but we still ask experts for information and rely on intuition. Here's why.

Psychology, like other disciplines, uses the scientific method to acquire knowledge and uncover truths—but we still ask experts for information and rely on intuition. Here's why.

Mating

Who Tries to Steal People's Partners, and Why

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 29, 2024

As many as 20 percent of new couples start with poaching.

As many as 20 percent of new couples start with poaching.

Anger

Did Anger Evolve to Make Us Happy?

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 20, 2024

The recalibration theory of anger explores anger from an adaptationist's perspective. This view sees anger as a specially designed behavioral solution to an adaptive problem.

The recalibration theory of anger explores anger from an adaptationist's perspective. This view sees anger as a specially designed behavioral solution to an adaptive problem.

Authenticity

Could Too Much Nostalgia Be Bad for Us?

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 31, 2023

We love the emotional comfort that yearning for the past provides. But indulging in nostalgia too often might be holding us back.

We love the emotional comfort that yearning for the past provides. But indulging in nostalgia too often might be holding us back.

Parenting

The 7 Mistakes Parents Who Overparent Make

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 21, 2023

How do you know if you are overparenting? It turns out that making mistakes and even failing a bit is OK for kids. It's a normal and necessary part of healthy development.

How do you know if you are overparenting? It turns out that making mistakes and even failing a bit is OK for kids. It's a normal and necessary part of healthy development.

Personality

Why Morbid Curiosity May Fuel Belief in Conspiracy Theories

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 6, 2023

Recent research suggests that those who score high on measures of morbid curiosity are more likely to embrace conspiracy theories.

Recent research suggests that those who score high on measures of morbid curiosity are more likely to embrace conspiracy theories.

Relationships

14 Key Lessons From Research on Kissing

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 29, 2023

Is being a good kisser really that important? New research shows there's a lot more to the science behind kissing than we knew; these simple steps will help you to improve.

Is being a good kisser really that important? New research shows there's a lot more to the science behind kissing than we knew; these simple steps will help you to improve.

Social Life

Hello, Stranger: Overcoming the Fear of New Conversations

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 27, 2023

Research shows that too many people kill conversations before they even begin, simply because starting one is scary. Here are 5 steps to having good conversations with strangers.

Research shows that too many people kill conversations before they even begin, simply because starting one is scary. Here are 5 steps to having good conversations with strangers.

Media

The Trouble With Trigger Warnings in a Dangerous World

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 20, 2023

The earliest trigger warnings can be traced back to the 1970s, but today we are in the middle of a health debate about the efficacy of these alerts. Are they always good for us?

The earliest trigger warnings can be traced back to the 1970s, but today we are in the middle of a health debate about the efficacy of these alerts. Are they always good for us?

Stress

The 3 Worst Fears About Winning the Lottery

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on June 14, 2023

Money can strain mental health and well-being by adding stress where it did not exist before.

Money can strain mental health and well-being by adding stress where it did not exist before.