Archive

From Derogation to Reclamation: How Does Language Change?

Derogatory labels are offensive words that can be reclaimed by a stigmatized group; however, the process of reclaiming can carry risks.
 

In 2020, Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests took place around the world, reminding us about social inequalities and racism. Through these protests, we became particularly attentive to the language and labels we use. On July 29^th, BBC News aired a news report where the N-word was...

A Primer on Porn and Relationships

The ease of access to pornography via the Internet has sparked a renewed interest in the effects of porn on consumers, with much of the public debate on the topic highlighting potential harms. We see everyone from the media (1), to high-profile academics, to politicians weighing-in on the issue. One accusation that’s frequently levied against porn is that it harms romantic relationships. For example, notable social psychologist, Phillip...

Why a New Popular Press Psychology Book Refrains from Giving Advice

During this pandemic winter, many of us will be away from the people we love most. The absence of the physical presence of loved ones deprives us of hugs, physical touch, and feelings of physical and psychological warmth that no amount of Skype or Zoom ever seems to fully replace.

In his forthcoming book, Heartwarming, one of the authors of this editorial (Rocha IJzerman) explores the science of why this is, a...

How to bring the gezelligheid this pandemic winter into your home

One of the things we will miss possibly the most this pandemic winter in the Northern Hemisphere is gezelligheid [ɣəˈzɛləxɛit]. No real English equivalent of gezelligheid exists; the closest word in the English vernacular - coziness - still doesn’t capture the same feeling of intimacy and belonging. What does communicate a similar sentiment and is more familiar to US ears is the Danish concept hygge [hʊɡə] and the Swedish concept of lagom. ... / more

The Sex Tips You Won’t See In Magazines: Science-backed ways to stay sexually satisfied in long-term relationships

Women should insert jade eggs into their vaginas to increase the chance of orgasm(1).

Don’t believe in sexual soulmates(2).

For a happier life, have sex once a week(3).

Which of these tips are click bait, and which are grounded in empirical research? I am trained in this area of study and sometimes cannot tell the difference! (Okay we...

How The Good Place illustrates an unorthodox theory in moral psychology

On The Good Place, people are judged on the morality of virtually everything they do. This might seem unfair, but what really counts as moral and non-moral? Evidence from psychology suggests that there may be no clear distinction between moral and non-moral cases. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t consider buying a tomato to be a moral decision. Which is why it was so startling, near the... / more

Can We Believe in Our Own Lies?

Can we believe in our own lies? Such a question eventually boils down to the issue of whether lying affects memory. ­­­­­­­This is particularly relevant in the legal arena, where witnesses, offenders, and suspects adopt deceptive strategies in several situations. 

Introduction

In 1995, Binjamin Wilkormiski published a book entitled Fragments: Memories of a Wartime Childhood 1939-1948. In his book,...

Interview with Academics for Black Survival and Wellness

"Academics cannot stay silent about anti-Black racism, nor can they remain silent in the face of racial violence and injustice. We need to engage in the critical work to dismantle anti-Black racism within ourselves, others, and in the system." -Jeannette Mejia, University of Florida Counseling Psychology Doctoral Student  Over the last few weeks, much attention has been directed towards the violence and injustice Black people are facing. In an effort to encourage academics... / more

Hoarding in science, no thanks. Openness and transparency in crisis mode and beyond

During the current SARS-COV-2 pandemic, the scientific approach is thought to be unable to keep up with the rapid pace at which the crisis is spreading. After developing a research idea, it usually takes years to publish the results. Now, however, things need to move faster. One more reason to embrace open scientific practices.

Disaster is here, but the lawn looks good: Why we fail to act on the things that matter most

Why you can’t stop climate change like you stop a pandemic, and what that has to do with mowing the lawn.

We are in crisis, yet our day-to-day routines persist. While I was walking my dog the other day, I couldn’t help but notice how well-kept all the front yards looked. The lawns were mowed and the bushes were trimmed. Our ability...