Perfectly Awesome

In the US, smiling is a reflexive gesture of goodwill, but Russians view it as a sign of stupidity. Social psychology research could help explain this cultural contrast.

Unsure where to start? Use this collection of links to our articles and videos to learn about some principles of human psychology and how they relate to UX design.

There is a lot of social psychology out there providing information that can inform our everyday lives, and most people are completely unaware of the research. Richard Wiseman makes this point in his book, 59 Seconds - we actually have useful scientific information, and yet we also have a vast self-help industry giving advice that

The fear of being duped is ubiquitous, but excessive scepticism makes it harder to trust one another and cooperate

Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch once nearly died of a heart attack.

Much of what you’ve read on this blog has been written in pajama pants. Writing directly follows meditation in my morning routine, so I’ve often gone right from the cushion to the coffeepot to the desk. Occasionally life would remind me that there are practical reasons to put on socially acceptable pants before beginning the workday. Someone could knock on

Feelings of loneliness prompt changes in the brain that further isolate people from social contact.

Disgust is surprisingly common across nature.

Happiness can sometimes feel just out of reach. But having more fun? You've got this — and those giggles and playful moments can make a big difference to your health and well-being.

Hacking the happiness treadmill

The magazine of the British Psychological Society - in print and online.

All fears can be divided into four broad categories which psychologists refer to as the four horsemen of fear: bodily, interpersonal, cognitive and behavioral fears. And each of the four horsemen of fear can be addressed by applying simple strategies.

What does the state of online shaming reveal about our democracy?

Some cats do it, but others can’t—and researchers still don’t fully understand why.

Do you feel perpetually bad, broken or unlovable? These tools will help you relate to yourself in a fairer, gentler way

A secure attachment style can help people initiate and maintain friendships.

People who feel shame readily are at risk for depression and anxiety disorders

Have you ever gotten into a heated argument about politics? Maybe you’ve said something you're not proud of during game night with friends, or booed the opposing team at a sporting event. Psychologist Mina Cikara studies what happens in these moments — when our mindset shifts from “you and me” to “us and them.” This week on the show, Mina shares the profound ways that becoming a part of a group shapes our thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Here’s why hiring managers say they often value emotional intelligence more highly than IQ.

Most of us are subjected to insults, sarcastic comments or bad feedback in our everyday lives. But we weren't built to deal with torrents of criticism.

Instead, befriend people who inspire awe in you.

From a young age we are primed to choose a favourite colour, but strangely as we grow up our preference often changes – and it's largely due to influences outside our control.

How does hating someone compare with anger, contempt or disgust? A clearer picture of what makes it unique is emerging

Ditch the tough talk, it won’t help. Instead cultivate your mental flexibility so you can handle whatever comes your way

There’s growing evidence that signals sent from our internal organs to the brain play a major role in regulating emotions and fending off anxiety and depression.

Regardless of where you are in the pathway of understanding how the human psyche works, this list of must-read psychology books will upgrade your personal library.

Fans of this violent music report feelings of transcendence and positive emotions; psychologists want to learn why.

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Think about your life like an x-y axis, with four quadrants.

Anger is a fuel that’s dangerous when out of control. But managed well, it can energise you to identify and confront problems

When we are feeling something, we don't really stop to define that emotion or think about the exact emotion that we are experiencing. We just feel and go through it; may it be sadness, anger or happiness. As human beings, we experience a plethora of feelings and emotions in our lifetime that range over several forms and types. This article is an attempt to list down an extensive list of those emotions.

Could you make a list of all the emotions you feel in a day? Emotions play a fascinating

How well do you recognize and understand your emotions? What about the emotions of those around you?

Not only is ‘Je suis excité’ not the appropriate way to convey excitement in French, but there seems to be no real way to express it at all.

One emotion inspired our greatest achievements in science, art and religion. We can manipulate it – but why do we have it?

Dr. Daniel Kahneman features on the latest Farnam Street podcast and it’s a surprising episode. Kahneman wrote Thinking Fast and Slow. I admire Kahneman a great deal. Not for his Nobel or for his work, which are both impressive, but for his humility. Some of the key tenets of Kahneman’s work in his famous book were disproved. And he owned up to it, both in print and on the podcast. That’s the hallmark of someone with great integrity, and it’s a sign to trust someone more.

Being ‘good’ need not take years of ethical analysis: just a few moments of gratitude can set you on the path to virtue

Look like you‘re trusting your gut and others will trust you.

Immanuel Kant held that moral education is hydraulic: shame squashes down our vices, making space for virtue to rise up

What happens when machines learn to manipulate us by faking our emotions? Judging by the rate at which researchers are developing human-like AI agents, we’re about to find out. Researchers around the world are trying to create more human-li

Is Rick Deckard a replicant, an advanced bioengineered being? The jury concerning the character in 1982’s Blade Runner is still out. Harrison Ford, who plays Deckard in the film, thinks he’s human. Ridley Scott, the film’s director, is adamant that he’s not.* Hampton Fancher, the screenwriter for the original film and the sequel, Blade Runner […]

The mysteries of consumer behavior, explained by ice cream and independent bookstores.

Rather than being a cringey personal failing, awkwardness is a collective rupture – and a chance to rewrite the social script