Psychology

Clothes Reveal Who We Want You To Think We Are

Remember the social media storm about the color of the dress? Did you see blue and black or white and gold? It was some harmless fun that drew in millions of online commenters. But clothes are not frivolous, flippant or foolish. In telling and talking abo ...

Article - The Conversation - Mar 20 2015 - 8:30am

Special Snowflakes: Why Some Kids Think They Are Exceptional

Narcissistic children feel superior to others, believe they are entitled to privileges and crave admiration from others. When they don’t get the admiration they want, they may lash out aggressively. Why do some children become narcissistic, whereas others ...

Article - The Conversation - Mar 23 2015 - 8:30am

What Are Personality Disorders And How Are They Treated?

Filmmakers know personality disorders make for compelling viewing. Think of attention-seeking Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind" (1939). Or the manipulation and callous disregard for others in "Silence of the Lambs" (1991), & ...

Article - The Conversation - Mar 24 2015 - 8:00am

Why Anti-vaxxers Just 'Know' They're Right

Anti-vaccination beliefs can cause real, substantive harm, as shown by the recent outbreak of measles in the US. These developments are as shocking and distressing as their consequences are predictable. But if the consequences are so predictable, why do t ...

Article - The Conversation - Mar 30 2015 - 12:00pm

Orthorexia Nervosa: The Righteous Health Food Obsession

Orthorexia nervosa, the “health food eating disorder”, gets its name from the Greek word ortho, meaning straight, proper or correct. This exaggerated focus on food can be seen today in some people who follow lifestyle movements such as “raw”, “clean” and ...

Article - The Conversation - Mar 26 2015 - 8:30am

Your Brain In The Supermarket

You're out shopping for basic goods you have bought many times. Is  choosing these products a complicated decision or a simple one?  It could be complex: Factors like price, quality, and brand loyalty may run through your mind. Indeed, some scholars ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 27 2015 - 8:00am

Deal With It- Life Is Full Of Uncertainty

Experiments dating back to the 1960s show people have less of a reaction to viewing an unpleasant image or experiencing an electric shock when they know it’s coming than when they’re not expecting it. ...

Article - The Conversation - Mar 26 2015 - 11:48pm

What Is The Best Measure Of Depression Severity?

It's no surprise to most that Germanwings Flight 9525 co-pilot Andreas Lubitz, who crashed the plane into a mountain, killing all of the passengers and crew, had been treated for suicidal tendencies.  ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 30 2015 - 10:23am

Confirmation Bias: Why The Moon Gets Blamed For A Lot

In ancient times, attributing effects to the moon made some sense. If it could change tides, which everyone except Galileo recognized it did, why not cause effects in people?  ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 30 2015 - 3:51pm

Suicide And Military Deployment Of Military Personnel Not Linked

The suicide rate among active duty U.S. military members has increased in the last decade and one party of politicians has contended that their opponents were pushing soldiers to suicide.  Is there any truth to it? Deployment dates for all services member ...

Article - News Staff - Apr 6 2015 - 9:27am