Life, Death, and the Self

Environment

How Climate Change Threatens Meaning in Life

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on September 13, 2021

Some philosophical thought experiments help us to see that the way we typically think about the threat posed by climate change is too narrow.

Some philosophical thought experiments help us to see that the way we typically think about the threat posed by climate change is too narrow.

Bias

Why Anti-Asian Bias in the U.S. Has Spiked

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on October 10, 2020

Does it really matter what the president calls the coronavirus? Yes.

Does it really matter what the president calls the coronavirus? Yes.

Identity

It Takes a Virtual Village

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on March 20, 2020

Are you trying to educate and entertain your kids while school's out? Here's an idea for you.

Are you trying to educate and entertain your kids while school's out? Here's an idea for you.

Bias

What Drives Support for the Alt-Right?

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on December 27, 2019

Is support for the alt-right driven by economic anxiety or intergroup bias? New research may reveal the answer.

Is support for the alt-right driven by economic anxiety or intergroup bias? New research may reveal the answer.

Politics

The Relationship Between Politics and Morality

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on December 5, 2019

Does morality explain politics? Or is it the other way around? The current political moment shows that answers to these questions are urgent.

Does morality explain politics? Or is it the other way around? The current political moment shows that answers to these questions are urgent.

Gender

Are Gender and Rationality Linked in Our Minds?

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on November 15, 2019

Are we more likely to associate men with reason and women with emotion? A recent set of studies suggests that we are.

Are we more likely to associate men with reason and women with emotion? A recent set of studies suggests that we are.

Identity

Righting the Wrongs of Erasure

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on September 27, 2019

Why we have ethical reasons to revise our understanding of history and re-inscribe erased voices.

Why we have ethical reasons to revise our understanding of history and re-inscribe erased voices.

Authenticity

Two Concepts of the True Self

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on September 19, 2019

What do we really mean by the notion of a "true self"? It depends on how we think about authenticity.

What do we really mean by the notion of a "true self"? It depends on how we think about authenticity.

Education

3 Strategies for Effective Learning

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on September 6, 2019

Whether you're an instructor or a student, here are three strategies to get the most out of your learning environment.

Whether you're an instructor or a student, here are three strategies to get the most out of your learning environment.

Identity

Go Ahead and Rock the Boat (Just Not Too Much!)

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on June 20, 2019

New research looks at how perceived threats to the legitimacy of privilege factors into lack of support for social change.

New research looks at how perceived threats to the legitimacy of privilege factors into lack of support for social change.

Race and Ethnicity

Law & Order: Stigma Removal Unit

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on June 17, 2019

New research suggests that images of police-civilian interactions affect stated voting preferences for some Americans, but not others.

New research suggests that images of police-civilian interactions affect stated voting preferences for some Americans, but not others.

Environment

The Psychology of Combatting Climate Change

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on June 11, 2019

Climate change is terrifying. And this can shape our responses to it in surprising ways.

Climate change is terrifying. And this can shape our responses to it in surprising ways.

Mindfulness

Can Washing Dishes Make You Feel Better?

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on March 27, 2019

What research on mindful engagement in everyday activities suggests about the value of daily routines.

What research on mindful engagement in everyday activities suggests about the value of daily routines.

Ketamine

How Similar Are Near-Death Experiences to Acid Trips?

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on March 26, 2019

New research appears to add support for the idea that near-death experiences can be explained by the release of endogenous chemicals in the brain.

New research appears to add support for the idea that near-death experiences can be explained by the release of endogenous chemicals in the brain.

Environment

Why We Should Change the Standards for Use of Deadly Force

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on March 8, 2019

What the shooting of Stephon Clark can teach us about the need for changes to the laws governing use of deadly force.

What the shooting of Stephon Clark can teach us about the need for changes to the laws governing use of deadly force.

Spirituality

Is Your Mind Under Your Control?

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on December 19, 2018

Can you control what you think? New research suggests that people think you can.

Can you control what you think? New research suggests that people think you can.

Confidence

The Mirror Test and the Problem of Understanding Other Minds

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on December 17, 2018

What a recent entry into the debate about which animals are self-aware reveals about our understanding of other minds.

What a recent entry into the debate about which animals are self-aware reveals about our understanding of other minds.

Psychosis

Did You Hear That?

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on October 2, 2018

Have you ever mistakenly thought your phone was vibrating? New research into hallucinations sheds light on that phenomenon.

Have you ever mistakenly thought your phone was vibrating? New research into hallucinations sheds light on that phenomenon.

Spirituality

Who Are You Really?

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on September 30, 2018

When it comes to the true self, you are your values.

When it comes to the true self, you are your values.

Philosophy

Some Pitfalls to Avoid on Thursday in the Senate

Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, Ph.D. on September 26, 2018

Paying attention to the Kavanaugh accusations? Here are some tendencies to avoid when hearing testimony about them.

Paying attention to the Kavanaugh accusations? Here are some tendencies to avoid when hearing testimony about them.