Time to freak out? How the existential terror of hurricanes can fuel climate change denial

Terror management theory explores the lengths our minds will go to to deny existential threats. Psychologists explain what that can mean for climate denial.

Joshua Hart, Professor of Psychology, Union College • conversation
Oct. 30, 2024 ~8 min

The Apprentice: Trump biopic is riddled with perfect examples of a man with the ‘dark triad’ of personality traits

Examples of machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy are all on show in this film about Trump’s rise in the world of real estate.

Lee John Curley, Lecturer in Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University • conversation
Oct. 25, 2024 ~6 min


Wild animals can experience trauma and adversity too − as ecologists, we came up with an index to track how it affects them

New research finds that marmots who experience adversity early in life have a lesser chance of survival.

Xochitl Ortiz Ross, Ph.D. Candidate in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
Oct. 21, 2024 ~10 min

Some people love to scare themselves in an already scary world − here’s the psychology of why

Scary movies and haunted houses can actually be a coping mechanism that helps you survive.

Sarah Kollat, Teaching Professor of Psychology, Penn State • conversation
Oct. 18, 2024 ~9 min

Evacuating in disasters like Hurricane Milton isn’t simple – there are reasons people stay in harm’s way

Evacuating is expensive, and for some people the risks of leaving can seem greater than staying despite the storm.

Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, Research Associate, Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Oct. 10, 2024 ~9 min

When and why do girls start forming cliques?

Belonging to a group can make you feel safe and supported. But there can be downsides, too.

Hannah L. Schacter, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Wayne State University • conversation
Oct. 7, 2024 ~6 min

Cuffing season: an evolutionary explanation for why people want to settle down for the winter months

Another reason could be men’s testosterone levels increase over the winter months.

Martin Graff, Senior Lecturer in Psychology of Relationships, University of South Wales • conversation
Oct. 3, 2024 ~6 min

My Old Ass: why we should imagine talking to our older rather than younger selves, according to an expert in psychology

Imagining speaking to your younger self might not be helpful, you can’t change the past but you can regret it.

Clare Walsh, Lecturer in Psychology, University of Plymouth • conversation
Oct. 3, 2024 ~5 min


Fyre Festival II: why people give fraudsters a second chance

Even an investor who lost US$1 million was willing to talk to Billy McFarland about Fyre Festival II

Daniel Read, Professor of Behavioural Science, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick • conversation
Sept. 27, 2024 ~6 min

Even as urban foxes get bolder, people appreciate rather than persecute them, say psychologists

A recent study tested whether messages about bolder urban foxes are biasing how people feel about them.

Charlotte Hopkins, Senior Lecturer, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Hull • conversation
Sept. 25, 2024 ~6 min

/

44