How do the groups you identify with shape your sense of self? Do they influence the beer you buy? The way you vote? In this favorite episode from 2021, psychologist Jay Van Bavel explains how our group loyalties affect us more than we realize, and can even shape our basic senses of sight, taste and smell. Then, […]
We tend to see depression as an illness to eliminate, evidence that something has gone wrong in the brain. But what if low mood serves a purpose?
Rethinking Depression Read More »
What’s the point of disgust? We talk with psychologist David Pizarro about the evolutionary role of this emotion, and how it’s used to persuade and divide us.
Yuck! The Science of Disgust Read More »
Charismatic leaders can inspire devotion and give people a powerful sense of meaning. They can also make us vulnerable.
The Secret of Charisma Read More »
What does it do to a person to feel overlooked? This week, psychologist Gordon Flett examines how the absence of “mattering” can fuel loneliness, depression, and even violence. He outlines how feeling valued serves as a psychological buffer, and how simple gestures can rebuild a sense of meaning in ourselves and others. Then, in the second half
Do You Feel Invisible? Read More »
From the time we’re schoolchildren, we’re ranked and sorted based on how smart we are. But what if our assumptions about intelligence limit our potential? This week, psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman proposes a more expansive notion of what it means to be “smart.”
Why You’re Smarter Than You Think Read More »
Last week, we talked with Leslie John about the costs of keeping secrets. Today, she returns with a look at the power of self-disclosure.
We all carry secrets. But doing so can be costly: hiding takes mental work and can harm our health and relationships.
This week we look at the hidden power of doubt — not as weakness or indecision, but as a tool that helps us make better choices and navigate an uncertain world.
You 2.0: Trusting Your Doubt Read More »
Patience can sometimes feel like a lost art, particularly in a culture that prizes competition and the idea of “failing fast.” But psychologist Sarah Schnitker says patience is a vital skill for success in both our personal and professional lives. We talk with Sarah about the difference between patience and passivity, and how to train ourselves to
You 2.0: The Practice of Patience Read More »
