Essential Reads

Understanding the Child Eyewitness

By Matthew J Sharps Ph.D. on February 19, 2021 in The Forensic View

Children may witness horrible crimes, including the most horrible crimes against themselves; but we have to understand the child witness to make sense of the evidence.

Children may witness horrible crimes, including the most horrible crimes against themselves; but we have to understand the child witness to make sense of the evidence.

How to Talk to Children and Teens About Mental Illness

By Lily Bailey on February 19, 2021 in Because We Are Bad

Do’s and don'ts for having helpful conversations with young people about their mental health.

Do’s and don'ts for having helpful conversations with young people about their mental health.

You Can't Use 100% of Your Brain—and That’s a Good Thing

By Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on February 19, 2021 in Your Internet Brain

A recent study shines light on large-scale patterns of brain activity. Results support the notion that using 100 percent of your brain is not achievable—or desirable.

A recent study shines light on large-scale patterns of brain activity. Results support the notion that using 100 percent of your brain is not achievable—or desirable.

Do Kids Really Misbehave for Attention?

By David Rettew M.D. on February 18, 2021 in ABCs of Child Psychiatry

Time-out or time-ins? Don’t fall for oversimplified explanations and remedies for your child’s misdeeds.

Time-out or time-ins? Don’t fall for oversimplified explanations and remedies for your child’s misdeeds.

The Essential Role of Sleep in Immunity

By Alex Dimitriu M.D. on February 18, 2021 in Psychiatry and Sleep

Want to ensure your vaccination offers the greatest protection against COVID-19? Sleep—and sleep well—before and after your vaccine appointment.

Want to ensure your vaccination offers the greatest protection against COVID-19? Sleep—and sleep well—before and after your vaccine appointment.

The Unexpected Benefits of Conspiracy Theories

By Ewan Morrison on February 18, 2021 in Word-Less

Believing in a conspiracy theory gave my father a goal, a way to interpret confusing events, and a deep sense of camaraderie. But there was also, of course, a darker side.

Believing in a conspiracy theory gave my father a goal, a way to interpret confusing events, and a deep sense of camaraderie. But there was also, of course, a darker side.

We Don't Have to Be Anxious About Anxiety

By Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary Ph.D. on February 18, 2021 in More Than a Feeling

Anxiety is the crisis of our era. But science shows that we can turn the tables on anxiety and make it our ally.

Anxiety is the crisis of our era. But science shows that we can turn the tables on anxiety and make it our ally.

What Walking Patterns May Reveal About Cognitive Decline

By Christopher Bergland on February 17, 2021 in The Athlete's Way

Analyzing stride-to-stride fluctuations in someone's walking pattern may be a novel way to test for cognitive decline in older adults, a new study suggests.

Analyzing stride-to-stride fluctuations in someone's walking pattern may be a novel way to test for cognitive decline in older adults, a new study suggests.

Do Extreme Protests Affect the Popular Support of a Movement?

By Art Markman Ph.D. on February 17, 2021 in Ulterior Motives

Protests may or may not spur companies or legislators to act. New research explores the effect they have on movements' ambitions to win popular support.

Protests may or may not spur companies or legislators to act. New research explores the effect they have on movements' ambitions to win popular support.

Where Is This Going? Deciding the Future of Your Relationship

By Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on February 17, 2021 in The Psychology of Relationships

What does your relationship's future hold? Research has explored the most common reasons to stay and to go.

What does your relationship's future hold? Research has explored the most common reasons to stay and to go.

Escape the COVID Time Warp by Embracing Today’s Future

By James Danckert Ph.D., and John Eastwood, Ph.D. on February 16, 2021 in The Engaged Mind

Research suggests why time has slowed during COVID—and what we can do about it.

Research suggests why time has slowed during COVID—and what we can do about it.

The Upside to Dating a Friend

By Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on February 16, 2021 in Why Bad Looks Good

Have you developed a crush on a companion? Research reveals that feelings for a friend might not be a bad thing.

Have you developed a crush on a companion? Research reveals that feelings for a friend might not be a bad thing.

Can You Ever Completely Give Up Your Religion?

By David Ludden Ph.D. on February 16, 2021 in Talking Apes

New research shows that even when people reject their religion, their attitudes about moral issues are still influenced by early childhood experiences.

New research shows that even when people reject their religion, their attitudes about moral issues are still influenced by early childhood experiences.

“My Best Sex Was on Top of the Empire State Building"

By Aaron Ben-Zeév Ph.D. on February 16, 2021 in In the Name of Love

The most comfortable and easy location to have sex is in bed. Why, then, do so many people prefer to have sex outdoors?

The most comfortable and easy location to have sex is in bed. Why, then, do so many people prefer to have sex outdoors?

A President in Search of Greatness

By Stanley Renshon Ph.D. on February 15, 2021 in Presidential Politics on the Couch

The ghosts of greatness past whisper in many president's ears.

The ghosts of greatness past whisper in many president's ears.

Why the Pursuit of Unanimous Beliefs Can Harm Us All

By Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. on February 15, 2021 in The Science Behind Behavior

In the pursuit of unanimous beliefs lie the seeds of myopia, discrimination, coercion, and dysfunction.

In the pursuit of unanimous beliefs lie the seeds of myopia, discrimination, coercion, and dysfunction.

How to Overcome FOMO

By Arash Emamzadeh on February 14, 2021 in Finding a New Home

A new study examines whether the fear of missing out—also known as "FOMO"—is a function of generational or individual differences.

A new study examines whether the fear of missing out—also known as "FOMO"—is a function of generational or individual differences.

Lying and Pseudologia Fantastica

By Mark L. Ruffalo D.Psa., L.C.S.W. on February 14, 2021 in From Freud to Fluoxetine

Pseudologia fantastica is a rare psychiatric syndrome characterized by fantastical lies and intrapsychic motivation.

Pseudologia fantastica is a rare psychiatric syndrome characterized by fantastical lies and intrapsychic motivation.

7 Myths About Narcissistic Personality Disorder

By Elinor Greenberg Ph.D. on February 13, 2021 in Understanding Narcissism

If you read about narcissism on the internet, you will often encounter a whole mythology about people with narcissistic personality disorder. Don't fall for fake news.

If you read about narcissism on the internet, you will often encounter a whole mythology about people with narcissistic personality disorder. Don't fall for fake news.

5 Ways to Test Your Magical Beliefs About Relationships

By Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D. on February 13, 2021 in Fulfillment at Any Age

Although you may consider yourself a rational person, new research shows the 5 types of magical beliefs you might hold about your relationship and why these might have benefits.

Although you may consider yourself a rational person, new research shows the 5 types of magical beliefs you might hold about your relationship and why these might have benefits.