Homeostasis Disruptor

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Halloween, COVID-19, and the Psychology of Masks

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on October 28, 2020

At Halloween, we pretend to be terrified when kids wear masks. COVID has turned this convention on its head: We get jumpy when adults refuse to wear theirs.

At Halloween, we pretend to be terrified when kids wear masks. COVID has turned this convention on its head: We get jumpy when adults refuse to wear theirs.

Replication Crisis

Psychology Is Still in Crisis

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on September 16, 2018

Psychologists are working hard to deal with the effects of the replication crisis. But are they doing anything about its causes?

Psychologists are working hard to deal with the effects of the replication crisis. But are they doing anything about its causes?

Charisma

Rest in Peace, Professor Hawking

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on March 15, 2018

A cultural icon of our times has died. His guidance will live on.

A cultural icon of our times has died. His guidance will live on.

Humor

The Psychology of Stand-Up Comedy

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on June 5, 2016

Academics have not only studied stand-up comedy. Occasionally they have performed it too.

Academics have not only studied stand-up comedy. Occasionally they have performed it too.

Mating

Evidence-Based Dating: What Could Go Wrong?

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on April 4, 2016

There is no shortage of research into romance and relationships. But is it convincing? And are psychologists really best placed to advise others on romance?

There is no shortage of research into romance and relationships. But is it convincing? And are psychologists really best placed to advise others on romance?

Sport and Competition

The Irishness of Psychology (and Psychology of Irishness)

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on March 17, 2016

It's time to ask whether psychology is in fact Irish. Also: What influences the Irish psyche?

It's time to ask whether psychology is in fact Irish. Also: What influences the Irish psyche?

Health

Disease Mongering: Past, Present and Future

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on March 6, 2016

Medicine is often criticized for depicting ordinary experiences as diseases requiring treatment. But is psychology guilty of this too?

Medicine is often criticized for depicting ordinary experiences as diseases requiring treatment. But is psychology guilty of this too?

Sex

Why Boastful People Likely Aren't Virgins

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on February 21, 2016

Research suggests that boastful people are more sexually promiscuous, implying an evolutionary advantage for braggarts. But can such a claim really be corroborated?

Research suggests that boastful people are more sexually promiscuous, implying an evolutionary advantage for braggarts. But can such a claim really be corroborated?

Psychology

On Bragging Rights (and Wrongs)

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on February 14, 2016

Subtle self-promotion is now so common that the Oxford English Dictionary lists 'humblebrag' as an official word. New studies have sought evolutionary explanations for bragging.

Subtle self-promotion is now so common that the Oxford English Dictionary lists 'humblebrag' as an official word. New studies have sought evolutionary explanations for bragging.

Media

It's the Negative Campaigning, Stupid

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on February 5, 2016

Do negative campaigns risk alienating voters? Opinion polls have long suggested that they do. But new experimental research tells a different story.

Do negative campaigns risk alienating voters? Opinion polls have long suggested that they do. But new experimental research tells a different story.

Alcoholism

The Perils of Benchmarking Good Behavior Using Self-Report

Brian M. Hughes Ph.D. on January 30, 2016

The UK government has published new guidelines on alcohol consumption and, yes, they are controversial. But are they undermined by self-report bias?

The UK government has published new guidelines on alcohol consumption and, yes, they are controversial. But are they undermined by self-report bias?