Psychology

Psychology

A photo of a brain with false memories.
We are prone to false memories. One reason is that we are biased toward remembering tidy endings for events, even if they didn't exist.
A man in a suit standing next to a display of batteries showing signs of "nobel disease.
It is easy to mock Nobel Laureates who go astray, but eccentricity often accompanies brilliance. We should have some sympathy.
An image of a snowflake on a black background, showcasing its scientific intricacies and ethereal beauty.
When science is a source of spirituality in people’s lives, they feel happy and engaged.
A woman is looking at herself in a mirror.
In a psychedelic state, the relationship between your “narrative” and “minimal” selves seems to transform in unique ways.
The head of an onion is shown on a black background.
Jung thought these autonomous entities live in your unconscious mind — often at a cost.
An orange-robed monk practicing mindfulness on a stone wall.
Is mindfulness really the panacea it's touted to be, or are we glossing over some fundamental flaws?
Two men sitting in an orange jail cell.
Simple "nudges" to remind people to show up for court could help keep thousands out of jail.
Today's popular weight-loss drugs could soon be joined by brain stimulation and gene therapies.
Bruce Lee executing a pain-free kick in a bedroom.
There’s really only one mistake you can make: continue doing the same thing you already know is hurting you and expect a different result.
A monochromatic image of a serpent on a dark backdrop.
If you see life as only a source of suffering and misery, why bring anyone else into that? This belief, called anti-natalism, is on the rise.
A gravestone with inscriptions on it related to Mary Shelley.
The author of Frankenstein had an obsession with the cemetery and saw love and death as connected.
A frisson-inducing crowd at a music festival.
Listening to some songs can cause a powerful physiological response known as "frisson." What is it, and why does it happen?
A silhouette of a woman reading a book, embodying a growth mindset.
Studies on "growth mindset" interventions fail to show significant benefits.
A blue background with a man's face behind bars depicting depression.
It could explain why so many people don’t respond to common antidepressants.
A man displaying signs of hoarding disorder, sitting in a car in a garage.
Now that the DSM lists severe hoarding as a disorder apart from OCD, psychologists are asking what explains its prevalence.
A vintage photograph capturing a couple by a turntable in black and white.
Your heart rate reveals your brain activity, which in turn can predict hit songs — and maybe stock performance, as well.
A silhouette of a man holding up a newspaper, inspired by Dan Ariely.
Big Think covered the 2012 study shortly after it was published. We are now correcting the record.
An infographic displaying the various types of work preferences according to Myers-Briggs.
If you’ve looked for a job recently, you may have encountered the personality test. You may also have wondered if it was backed by scientific research.
Dune features a determined protagonist in Frank Herbert's science fiction masterpiece.
These initially sympathetic characters take readers down a dark path.
A painting showcasing the enigmatic visage of a bearded man, invoking intrigue and perhaps evoking insight into the psychology of criminals through subtle symbolism.
Great writing can unveil the criminal psyche better than any other artistic medium.
A man experiences Stendhal syndrome while smiling in front of a red light frame.
The strange case of cultured ultra-thief Stéphane Breitwieser — who claims “art is my drug” — has divided opinion. Is it Stendhal syndrome?
A woman experiencing a near-death event with her head uplifted.
There were many similarities, but also some profound differences.
A stoic man with a beard in a black and white photo.
Stoicism is popular today but often misunderstood and misapplied. In fact, a naive interpretation of Stoicism is damaging to your well-being.