Time Travelling with Apollo

Anger

Pain Brings Out Our Mean Streak

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on October 24, 2022

Physical pain can increase our aggression. A recent study explains why.

Physical pain can increase our aggression. A recent study explains why.

Motivation

Why It's OK to Be Chatty

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on August 15, 2022

New research shows that, contrary to conventional wisdom, people are seen as more likable if they talk more than the other person in a conversation.

New research shows that, contrary to conventional wisdom, people are seen as more likable if they talk more than the other person in a conversation.

Confidence

"Don't Confuse Me With the Facts"

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on July 29, 2022

The people who most strongly oppose scientific consensus on a complex issue tend to be the least knowledgeable about it, but are most confident in their understanding.

The people who most strongly oppose scientific consensus on a complex issue tend to be the least knowledgeable about it, but are most confident in their understanding.

Emotion Regulation

Understanding the Nostalgic Brain

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on July 22, 2022

A proposed "neural model of nostalgia" explores what’s going on in our brains when we’re reliving happy moments from our past.

A proposed "neural model of nostalgia" explores what’s going on in our brains when we’re reliving happy moments from our past.

Chronic Pain

Turn Down the Volume to Turn Down the Pain

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on July 11, 2022

New research shows that listening to music can help reduce pain, but only if the music is played at a low volume.

New research shows that listening to music can help reduce pain, but only if the music is played at a low volume.

Attention

Why We Remember More When We Read on Paper

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on March 14, 2022

A new study suggests that sighing may be the key to the superiority of paper over electronic texts for reading comprehension.

A new study suggests that sighing may be the key to the superiority of paper over electronic texts for reading comprehension.

Cognition

To Show or to Tell When Speaking?

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on February 7, 2022

New research suggests that whether we use direct or indirect language when addressing other people may depend upon the "psychological distance" between us.

New research suggests that whether we use direct or indirect language when addressing other people may depend upon the "psychological distance" between us.

Beauty

Music to Our Ears

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on November 8, 2021

A recent study suggests that the “natural” association of major chords with positive emotions and of minor chords with negative emotions is determined by cultural music conventions.

A recent study suggests that the “natural” association of major chords with positive emotions and of minor chords with negative emotions is determined by cultural music conventions.

Attention

Time Is in the Eye of the Beholder

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on July 23, 2021

A recent study shows that gazing into someone else’s eyes causes us to underestimate the passage of time.

A recent study shows that gazing into someone else’s eyes causes us to underestimate the passage of time.

Emotion Regulation

Nostalgia Can Help Us Deal With Disillusionment

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on July 5, 2021

Disillusioned with the present? Try reminiscing about the past.

Disillusioned with the present? Try reminiscing about the past.

Empathy

Mind-Melding With Our Favorite Fictional Characters

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on April 19, 2021

A recent study suggests that when we immerse ourselves in the point of view of a character in a book or movie, we use the same “neural machinery” we use when we think about ourselves.

A recent study suggests that when we immerse ourselves in the point of view of a character in a book or movie, we use the same “neural machinery” we use when we think about ourselves.

Motivation

Need to Know: How Curiosity Drives Risky Behavior

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on December 16, 2020

A recent study reveals the enormous power that curiosity exerts as a motivating force in human behavior.

A recent study reveals the enormous power that curiosity exerts as a motivating force in human behavior.

Politics

The Powerful Rhetoric of Post-Truth Politics

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on December 10, 2020

Fact-checking 2020 is an exercise in futility. Post-truth politics creates its own reality.

Fact-checking 2020 is an exercise in futility. Post-truth politics creates its own reality.

Fear

Using Nostalgia to Cope With COVID

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on April 11, 2020

Research suggests that nostalgia can help us cope with the emotional stresses that troubled times can inflict on us.

Research suggests that nostalgia can help us cope with the emotional stresses that troubled times can inflict on us.

Resilience

Is Failure Really a Better Teacher Than Success?

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on December 30, 2019

New research suggests that, contrary to popular opinion, failure may actually undermine rather than promote learning.

New research suggests that, contrary to popular opinion, failure may actually undermine rather than promote learning.

Gratitude

Think Twice Before Saying "Thanks"

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on December 13, 2019

The simple act of saying “thank you” may make us prey for the powerful by robbing us of our will to protest injustice, recent research finds.

The simple act of saying “thank you” may make us prey for the powerful by robbing us of our will to protest injustice, recent research finds.

Child Development

Back to the Present

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on October 27, 2019

Looking back on our childhood can help us live more fully in the present moment.

Looking back on our childhood can help us live more fully in the present moment.

Decision-Making

Don't Leave Your Decision to Chance, Flip a Coin

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on June 29, 2019

A new study reveals that a coin toss can speed up our decision-making process by reducing our need for information.

A new study reveals that a coin toss can speed up our decision-making process by reducing our need for information.

Anxiety

Looking Back on Our Past to Cope with a Troubling Future

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on June 25, 2019

Memories of meaningful experiences from our past can help us deal with anxiety over troubled times ahead.

Memories of meaningful experiences from our past can help us deal with anxiety over troubled times ahead.

Attention

Coffee Cup of the Mind

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on April 22, 2019

New research suggests that reading and writing about coffee may affect how we think.

New research suggests that reading and writing about coffee may affect how we think.