People Are Strange

Attention

Smelling Coffee Increases Attention and Memory

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on September 30, 2021

Ah, the smell of motivation in the morning! Simply sniffing your morning cup of coffee might trick your brain into being alert and attentive. No caffeine is necessary.

Ah, the smell of motivation in the morning! Simply sniffing your morning cup of coffee might trick your brain into being alert and attentive. No caffeine is necessary.

Personality

Do People With Amnesia Know if Their Personality Has Changed?

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on September 29, 2021

Can people with anterograde amnesia know how they have changed, or are they stuck with an idea of who they were in years past?

Can people with anterograde amnesia know how they have changed, or are they stuck with an idea of who they were in years past?

Punishment

The Revenge That Feels Best Is Actually No Revenge at All

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on September 27, 2021

Just how sweet is revenge? A recent study shows that retaliating isn't as pleasant as we imagine, and not seeking revenge at all feels best.

Just how sweet is revenge? A recent study shows that retaliating isn't as pleasant as we imagine, and not seeking revenge at all feels best.

Sex

How Not to Seem Creepy

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on June 29, 2021

What makes someone creepy, and how can we keep from being creepy? Research has the answers.

What makes someone creepy, and how can we keep from being creepy? Research has the answers.

Health

#FreeBritney Provides a Good Lesson on Mental Health Stigma

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on June 28, 2021

Learning about the reality of Spears’ life has prompted many to trade judgment for empathy. Can this situation teach us a lesson about the consequences of mental health stigma?

Learning about the reality of Spears’ life has prompted many to trade judgment for empathy. Can this situation teach us a lesson about the consequences of mental health stigma?

Stress

Why Rewatching TV Shows Feels So Good

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on June 26, 2021

Watching the same shows over and over on Netflix? You're not alone. Research explains why people turn to their comfort shows.

Watching the same shows over and over on Netflix? You're not alone. Research explains why people turn to their comfort shows.

Creativity

Finding Creativity at the Strip Club

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on March 31, 2021

Creativity involves innovative solutions to problems. A strip club's solution for staying in business during the pandemic illustrates creativity's scope.

Creativity involves innovative solutions to problems. A strip club's solution for staying in business during the pandemic illustrates creativity's scope.

Grief

How Will You Write Your Own Pandemic Story?

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on March 29, 2021

A lot has happened this year, and it taught us something about ourselves. Whether our story of this year is constructed around resilience or ruin matters for our mental health.

A lot has happened this year, and it taught us something about ourselves. Whether our story of this year is constructed around resilience or ruin matters for our mental health.

Alcoholism

Who Drinks Responsibly? Nice, Thoughtful People, Study Finds

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on March 28, 2021

Surprising associations between two key personality traits and alcohol misuse.

Surprising associations between two key personality traits and alcohol misuse.

Conscientiousness

Conscientious People Are Dealing Better With the Pandemic

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on December 29, 2020

Conscientiousness helps us protect our bodies against COVID, but does it also have a protective effect on mental health? Research on coping and stress during the pandemic says yes.

Conscientiousness helps us protect our bodies against COVID, but does it also have a protective effect on mental health? Research on coping and stress during the pandemic says yes.

Personality

Mandate, Shmandate: Who Is (and Is Not) Staying at Home?

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on December 28, 2020

Some are diligent about distancing, even when the rules aren’t enforced. Others flagrantly flout stay at home orders and mask mandates. Does personality help explain these differences?

Some are diligent about distancing, even when the rules aren’t enforced. Others flagrantly flout stay at home orders and mask mandates. Does personality help explain these differences?

Personality

Got Stress? You'll Spend Less (on Holiday Gifts, at Least)

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on December 26, 2020

Do you typically give a few small gifts, or throw a gift-giving extravaganza of epic proportions? Your personality may explain, in part, the way you approach holiday gift-giving.

Do you typically give a few small gifts, or throw a gift-giving extravaganza of epic proportions? Your personality may explain, in part, the way you approach holiday gift-giving.

Psychology

Sloppy Poppie, Trash Eclairs: Prescriptive Norms in Seinfeld

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

If Seinfeld taught us anything, it was to never eat an eclair out of the trash. We'll examine the many ways George, Jerry, and Poppie violated social norms.

If Seinfeld taught us anything, it was to never eat an eclair out of the trash. We'll examine the many ways George, Jerry, and Poppie violated social norms.

Guilt

Liberosis: On Escaping Guilt in a Time of Pandemic

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

Living in a pandemic can put your sense of guilt into overdrive, especially if you're normally a responsible person. What can you do about it?

Living in a pandemic can put your sense of guilt into overdrive, especially if you're normally a responsible person. What can you do about it?

Education

How Will the New ICE Rule Affect International Students?

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on July 13, 2020

Trying to get an education during the instability of COVID is hard enough. Now international students face deportation if their universities go online.

Trying to get an education during the instability of COVID is hard enough. Now international students face deportation if their universities go online.

Psychology

The Psychology of "Seinfeld"

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on July 1, 2020

In anticipation of "Seinfeld" coming to Netflix in 2021, let's look at some of the many ways the show illustrates key psychological concepts.

In anticipation of "Seinfeld" coming to Netflix in 2021, let's look at some of the many ways the show illustrates key psychological concepts.

Cognition

The Curious Case of the Professor Who Turned Into a Cat

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on June 28, 2020

We’re designed to recognize patterns, but sometimes that means we see connections between things that aren’t really connected. Those perceived links can be awfully hard to debunk.

We’re designed to recognize patterns, but sometimes that means we see connections between things that aren’t really connected. Those perceived links can be awfully hard to debunk.

Bias

What Good Does It Do to "Say Her Name"?

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on June 25, 2020

Maybe you've heard of the "Say Her Name" campaign. Why is it important to say victims' names? In short: It makes us care.

Maybe you've heard of the "Say Her Name" campaign. Why is it important to say victims' names? In short: It makes us care.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Why Should We Believe the Science Behind Social Distancing?

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on March 27, 2020

It can be hard to accept scientific findings when your experience conflicts with the data. Here's why you should trust the experts on coronavirus and why science weighs more than opinion.

It can be hard to accept scientific findings when your experience conflicts with the data. Here's why you should trust the experts on coronavirus and why science weighs more than opinion.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Stuck Inside: Take a “Fakecation” to Combat Cabin Fever

Jennifer V. Fayard Ph.D. on March 20, 2020

Dreading weeks or months of reduced social contact due to the coronavirus? Here's an idea to feed your curiosity and fight boredom.

Dreading weeks or months of reduced social contact due to the coronavirus? Here's an idea to feed your curiosity and fight boredom.