Get Psyched!

Anger

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on March 21, 2023

In 2022 in the U.S., road rage shootings killed 141 people and injured 413, which is over twice as high as in 2018.

In 2022 in the U.S., road rage shootings killed 141 people and injured 413, which is over twice as high as in 2018.

Political views are a matter of opinion. Wearing a face mask should not be a matter of opinion. The facts are clear—wearing a face mask protects others from the coronavirus.

Anger

Stop Calling Protestors "Violent”

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on June 7, 2020

As someone who has been studying aggression and violence for over 30 years, one pet peeve I have is that people often misuse the word "violence" to apply to property.

As someone who has been studying aggression and violence for over 30 years, one pet peeve I have is that people often misuse the word "violence" to apply to property.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Misinformation About COVID-19 Can Be Deadly

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on May 27, 2020

Rejecting misinformation requires cognitive effort, and people can become "cognitive misers" who don't like to think.

Rejecting misinformation requires cognitive effort, and people can become "cognitive misers" who don't like to think.

Anger

Hate Can't Kill a Virus, Please Be Kind to Others

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on May 11, 2020

We often divide people into "us" and "them" categories. When bad things happen, such as a global pandemic, we tend to blame "them," which can lead to anger, hate, and aggression.

We often divide people into "us" and "them" categories. When bad things happen, such as a global pandemic, we tend to blame "them," which can lead to anger, hate, and aggression.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

You Want to Get a Haircut? I Want to Not Die of COVID-19

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on April 21, 2020

People protesting orders to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic feel that their freedoms are being restricted, which can be explained by psychological reactance theory.

People protesting orders to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic feel that their freedoms are being restricted, which can be explained by psychological reactance theory.

Anger

Don't Get Hangry—Eat Healthy Food

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on April 14, 2020

Have you ever noticed that people can get cranky and irritable when they get hungry? There is a term for this condition — hangry — and research shows that it's real.

Have you ever noticed that people can get cranky and irritable when they get hungry? There is a term for this condition — hangry — and research shows that it's real.

When people are forced to stay at home, not everyone is safe: There has been a spike in domestic violence during the global shutdown.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Viruses Don't Have Political Preferences

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on April 9, 2020

As the director of the World Health Organization (WHO) said, "Please don't politicize this virus ... Please quarantine politicizing COVID."

As the director of the World Health Organization (WHO) said, "Please don't politicize this virus ... Please quarantine politicizing COVID."

Coronavirus Disease 2019

"You Can't Shoot a Virus," and Guns Won't Make You Safer

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on March 23, 2020

During the Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) global pandemic, Americans are stocking up on guns and ammunition. Some people think guns make them safer, but this is a myth.

During the Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) global pandemic, Americans are stocking up on guns and ammunition. Some people think guns make them safer, but this is a myth.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

It is Called the "COVID-19 Virus," Not the "Chinese Virus!"

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on March 21, 2020

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) automatically produces negative feelings. Calling it the "Chinese virus" can result in negative feelings toward people from China.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) automatically produces negative feelings. Calling it the "Chinese virus" can result in negative feelings toward people from China.

Media

Media Characters Who Use Guns May Encourage Kids to Use Guns

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on July 31, 2019

Our research suggests that kids who see characters use guns are more likely to use guns themselves.

Our research suggests that kids who see characters use guns are more likely to use guns themselves.

President Donald Trump

Reducing Youth Violence

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on March 19, 2018

We all want to prevent youth violence. Here is the science behind how to actually do it.

We all want to prevent youth violence. Here is the science behind how to actually do it.

Friends

How Violence Spreads Like a Contagious Disease

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on May 31, 2017

New research explains how violence spreads from person to person. Violence does not occur randomly; it occurs in clusters, often among individuals in the same social network.

New research explains how violence spreads from person to person. Violence does not occur randomly; it occurs in clusters, often among individuals in the same social network.

Self-Esteem

Thin-Skinned Narcissists Become Aggressive When Criticized

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on November 7, 2016

Does self-love or self-hate underlie aggression and violence?

Does self-love or self-hate underlie aggression and violence?

Self-Esteem

Praise, Like Penicillin, Must Not Be Given Haphazardly!

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on January 22, 2014

Person praise (e.g., "You're great!") and inflated praise (e.g., "That's an incredibly beautiful drawing!") backfires in low self-esteem children.

Person praise (e.g., "You're great!") and inflated praise (e.g., "That's an incredibly beautiful drawing!") backfires in low self-esteem children.

Anger

It’s Time to Kill the Death Penalty

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on January 19, 2014

Death penalty models killing, is irreversible, does not deter crime, targets the poor and minorities, may be "cruel and unusual punishment," and is more costly than life in prison.

Death penalty models killing, is irreversible, does not deter crime, targets the poor and minorities, may be "cruel and unusual punishment," and is more costly than life in prison.

Self-Control

Violent Video Games Decrease Self-Control

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on January 16, 2014

One of the best predictors of success in life is self-control. However, violent video games discourage self-control.

One of the best predictors of success in life is self-control. However, violent video games discourage self-control.

Everyone gets angry, and most people don’t like the feeling. Here's what works and what doesn’t for managing anger.

Anger

Global Warming Can Also Increase Aggression and Violence.

Brad J. Bushman Ph.D. on July 18, 2013

When temperatures rise, tempers can too. Hot temperatures make people cranky, increasing the likelihood that they will behave in an aggressive and violent manner.

When temperatures rise, tempers can too. Hot temperatures make people cranky, increasing the likelihood that they will behave in an aggressive and violent manner.