Psychology
508 articles-
What Makes a Word Beautiful?
It’s not what we thought -
Could Virtual Reality Help Doctors Learn Empathy?
Medical schools are testing simulations to bridge the emotional gulf between physicians and their patients -
The Surprising Benefits of Giving Up
Ditching or adjusting goals in the face of adversity might often be the best thing for us—but we don’t all approach these challenges in the same way -
Childhood Friends, Not Moms, Shape Attachment Styles Most
A new study upends conventional wisdom about how we relate to those closest to us -
To Be More Creative, Immigrate
Creativity flourishes when people cross borders—and when those borders blur through deep, human connection -
Is There Such a Thing as Too Many Houseplants?
It might not be good for us to go overboard with indoor greenery -
Should Teenagers Take Psychedelics for Mental Health?
The potential risks are high, but scientists say we need to study the possible benefits -
How to Face Your Fears
And why a bit of fright can be a good thing -
When Do People Speak Out Against Tyranny?
What a mathematical model can tell us about self-censorship -
Why We Love Horror Stories
From ancient monsters to modern slashers, our fascination with horror may be an evolutionary gift
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Is Loneliness Really an Epidemic?
Social isolation is a health problem, but how we talk about it matters
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The Science of Unrequited Love
Researchers are learning more about limerence, the term for obsessive, involuntary love that is often unreturned
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Psilocybin Lifted Her Burden
The Covid pandemic left this frontline medical worker burned out, angry, and depressed. Then she got high.
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Daydream Your Way to Life-Changing Insights
Certain kinds of mind wandering can lead to powerful epiphanies
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What’s Wrong with Having an AI Friend?
Psychologist Paul Bloom on why chatbots make good companions. And why they don’t.
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Are Some People Addicted to Revenge?
A new book explores what drives the brain’s sometimes insatiable quest for vengeance -
Does Musical Taste Narrow with Age?
What 450 million song plays tell us about how our listening habits evolve -
Can I Give You Some Advice?
Probably not -
When Your Father Is a Magician, What Do You Believe?
A childhood spent under the spell of sleight-of-hand taught me skepticism, curiosity, and the habit of looking beneath appearances -
Here’s Why Binge-Watching Is Good for You
Rabidly consuming TV shows, movies, or books could make us more imaginative and able to cope with stress