-
Where Do Feelings Come From?
We often assume that our feelings are responses to the world around us. A friend gives you a fun gift, you feel joy. A driver cuts you off in traffic, you feel frustration. But what
-
Why We Split the World Into Good and Evil — And Make Decisions We Regret
Humans carve the world cleanly in two when they feel threatened. There’s a right and a wrong, a good and an evil, an us and a them. In normal times, this behavior is most obvious
-
Why We Click on Stuff We Know We Won’t Like
Why is there a deluge of divisive and negative content on social media? Is it simply that — despite what we’d prefer to think about ourselves — we like this kind of stuff? After all
-
A Psychologist Explains Why Your Brain Loves Cheesy Holiday Movies
‘Tis the season for friends, family and cheesy holiday movies. Whether you’re a fan of the Christmas classics or prefer the dozens of streamable and made-for-TV specials, experts say there’s a reason holiday-themed movies are so popular —
-
To Lead a Meaningful Life, Become Your Own Hero
What do Beowulf, Batman and Barbie all have in common? Ancient legends, comic book sagas and blockbuster movies alike share a storytelling blueprint called “the hero’s journey.” This timeless narrative structure, first described by mythologist Joseph Campbell in 1949, describes ancient
-
Don’t Shut Down Your Anger. Channel It.
There is an upside to feeling angry. According to research published this week in the “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,” anger is more helpful at motivating people to overcome obstacles and meet their goals than a
