Does organized ritual child abuse exist?
keywords:
ritual abuse / conspiracy theory / false memory / suggestion
Does organized ritual child abuse exist?
A significant number of therapists and self-defined victims report secret organizations that sexually abuse children for ideological or religious purposes and control them through targeted personality splitting. However, police investigations have so far been unable to uncover any evidence for these allegations. In this article, we discuss why the existence of such conspiratorial secret societies is not compatible with scientific findings, despite the reports of those affected, and to what extent suggested memories of the alleged acts represent a more reliable alternative explanation. / more
Empowerment instead of mind-control. Why myth-busting does not interfere with intellectual independence.
keywords:
Myth-busting / critical thinking / mental immunity / intellectual independence / empowerment
Empowerment instead of mind-control. Why myth-busting does not interfere with intellectual independence.
“Myth-busting is just policing thought!” “Fact-checkers tell us what to think!” These claims are common, but do they hold up? Ironically, while myth-busting aims to foster critical thinking, it is often accused of shutting it down. This article examines why challenging misinformation empowers rather than controls, and why myth-busting strengthens, rather than weakens, intellectual independence. / more
Breathe Through the Stress: Simple Breathing Techniques for Staying Calm Under Pressure
keywords:
Breathing techniques / stress management / emotional regulation / well-being
Breathe Through the Stress: Simple Breathing Techniques for Staying Calm Under Pressure
Breathing is more than an automatic process - it is a powerful tool for managing stress and improving focus. This article explores how intentional breathing techniques can help students stay calm under pressure, supported by the latest research on their physiological and psychological benefits. Discover evidence-based breathing techniques to improve performance and emotional balance. / more
What is manifesting all about? The Universe as a difficult conversational partner
keywords:
manifesting / manifestation / affirmations / Universe / law of attraction / social media / goal setting / goal pursuit / planning / self-efficacy
What is manifesting all about? The Universe as a difficult conversational partner
It sounds too good to be true: "You can achieve any goal with simple affirmations". This is exactly how people on social media try to make their wishes come true by "manifesting". Speak a wish into the Universe and it will come true, it will manifest, it will become reality—it sounds simple and would be pretty awesome if it works. / more
Resumé under the X-ray: What a CV really reveals about personality
keywords:
CV / Resumé / personality / Big Five / Narcissism
Resumé under the X-ray: What a CV really reveals about personality
CVs are more than lists of experiences and qualifications – they tell a story. But can they also provide cues about a person’s personality? To investigate this question, a study
examined 141early-career professionals [1]. They completed personality tests on the Big Five and
narcissism and submitted their CVs. The question: Which pieces of information in these CVs reveal something about their personality? The answer: There are cues, but they are subtle.
/ more
Chronic Loneliness: Why Loneliness Can Make Us Even Lonelier
keywords:
loneliness / social isolation / cognitive bias / adolescents / mental health
Chronic Loneliness: Why Loneliness Can Make Us Even Lonelier
Loneliness can be more than a temporary feeling. For some, it becomes an invisible vicious cycle. Chronically lonely people experience social exclusion more intensely and find less joy in social interactions. They fall into cognitive traps that block the way out of isolation. This can have serious consequences, especially for adolescents. But how does this vicious cycle develop –and more importantly, how can it be broken? / more
Why we’d buy a microwave from BODIKA_1996 but not from KODIBA_1996 – Articulation movements and their effects on judgments and decisions
keywords:
language / Articulation / judgment / Decision / attitudes
Why we’d buy a microwave from BODIKA_1996 but not from KODIBA_1996 – Articulation movements and their effects on judgments and decisions
People like inward-oriented articulation movements (e.g., in BODIKA – Lips → Tongue → Throat) more than outward-oriented articulation movements (e.g., in KODIBA – Throat → Tongue → Lips). This effect has an impact on various judgments and decisions in everyday life - but why is “in” better than “out”? / more
Why it takes more than the occasional ‘sorry’: How frequency and quality of apologies shape our relationships
keywords:
conflict resolution / romantic partnerships / apologies / forgiveness / communication
Why it takes more than the occasional ‘sorry’: How frequency and quality of apologies shape our relationships
Missteps and hurt feelings are often unavoidable in romantic relationships. While some individuals are quick to fully admit their mistakes, others are more reserved. But how does the way we apologize affect our relationships? / more
Can expectations about being hungry affect your concentration?
keywords:
hunger / cognitive performance / concentration / placebo / expectations
Can expectations about being hungry affect your concentration?
Can skipping breakfast blur your focus? A recent study found that hunger alone did not alter concentration—but participants expecting hunger to sharpen their minds performed better than those anticipating a slump. The results suggest beliefs about hunger can steer cognitive performance and should inform health messaging. / more
Turning disagreements into opportunities: How couples can grow through constructive communication
keywords:
conflict / romantic relationships / growth / resilience
Turning disagreements into opportunities: How couples can grow through constructive communication
What if every argument could bring new understanding and growth in your relationship? Explore how conflicts, when handled constructively, can strengthen your bond. Backed by research and filled with actionable insights, this article shows you how to turn tension into trust and disagreements into deeper understanding. / more