Can you change your personality? Psychology research says yes, by tweaking what you think and do

The concept of a personality may sound like it’s set in stone. But personality is really much more flexible − and you can take steps to craft your characteristic thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Shannon Sauer-Zavala, Associate Professor of Psychology & Licensed Clinical Psychologist, University of Kentucky • conversation
Sept. 25, 2024 • ~8 min

The science of polarisation: our model shows what happens when political opponents lose their personal connection

The more personally we take politics, the more polarised we become.

Simon Schweighofer, Assistant Professor in Media and Communication, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University • conversation
Sept. 23, 2024 • ~8 min

Mixed emotions – neuroscience is exploring how your brain lets you experience two opposite feelings at once

Bittersweet experiences aren’t uncommon. Do people ever truly feel both positive and negative at the same exact moment, or do we just switch quickly back and forth?

Anthony Gianni Vaccaro, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Psychology, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • conversation
Sept. 23, 2024 • ~9 min

Collaboratively imagining the future can bring people closer together in the present

The future and its possibilities are something that you actively co-create with others. New research suggests that imagining together makes you closer and more connected to them in the here and now.

Brendan Bo O'Connor, Associate Professor of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York • conversation
Sept. 19, 2024 • ~11 min

‘Difficult’ children are only slightly more likely to have insecure attachments with parents

The quality of a child’s attachments to caregivers influences healthy development. And most kids with difficult temperaments do form secure attachments with their parents.

Carlo Schuengel, Professor of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam • conversation
Sept. 11, 2024 • ~6 min

How we discovered that people who are colorblind are less likely to be picky eaters

Seeing the world with a restricted color palate seems to tone down an emotion-based resistance to new foods.

Isabel Gauthier, David K. Wilson Professor of Psychology, Vanderbilt University • conversation
Sept. 10, 2024 • ~8 min

Guilt over kids’ screen time is common, uncomfortable and can stress family relationships − but it can have a silver lining

Screen use has a PR problem, and many parents feel guilty about how much time they and their children spend on it. Examining that guilt could help you make changes and improve your family dynamics.

Robin Nabi, Professor of Communication, University of California, Santa Barbara • conversation
Sept. 5, 2024 • ~8 min

Think you’re better at driving than most? How psychological biases are keeping our roads unsafe

Research shows we have a culture of thinking it’s normal to break driving laws.

Gemma Briggs, Professor of Applied Cognitive Psychology, The Open University • conversation
Sept. 5, 2024 • ~7 min

Is there such a thing as an objectively beautiful building? Here’s the science

A beautiful building means that someone cared to do that little bit extra, which can be meaningful for its inhabitants.

Siné McDougall, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Bournemouth University • conversation
Sept. 2, 2024 • ~8 min

Is ‘coaching’ a shortcut to mental health care? Not so fast − here are key differences

A professor of psychiatry unpacks what to consider if you’re looking for help with physical or mental health and are considering using coaching services.

Emily Hemendinger, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Aug. 30, 2024 • ~9 min

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