Walkers in the City—and Everywhere
In psychogeography, the journey is key. Each step a person takes helps them reshape and better understand the role the space around them plays in their life.
The Question of Geophagy: Why Eat Dirt?
Scientists have three theories about why people and animals eat dirt.
The Pitfalls of the Pursuit of Happiness
The pursuit of happiness is often considered an ideal, but it may be possible to have too much—or the wrong kind—of a good thing.
Gatekeeping Psychology
In the mid-twentieth century, psychologist Edwin Boring attributed the limited role of female psychologists to issues other than discrimination.
Why Companies Are So Interested in Your Myers-Briggs Type
If you’ve looked for a job recently, you’ve probably encountered the personality test. You may also have wondered if it was backed by scientific research.
Betting on the Longshot
Researchers consistently observe that longshot horses are overvalued by bettors at the racetrack. Why are they willing to risk it all?
Why Do We Fall for Scams?
People want to believe that the person they trust with their money, or their hearts, is telling the truth. The con artist relies on that.
Gossip Girls (and Boys)
Researchers found that male and female adolescents may respond differently to gossip or other forms of social aggression.
How LGBTQ+ Activists Got “Homosexuality” out of the DSM
The first DSM, created in 1952, established a hierarchy of sexual deviancies, vaulting heterosexual behavior to an idealized place in American culture.
Why Do We Listen to Sad Music?
Scientists investigate the emotional and physical effects of sad music, in an ongoing quest to explain the "paradox of pleasurable sadness."