Modern Minds

Sport and Competition

March Madness Brackets for Bonding

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 27, 2023

The brain science of romantic love shows how NCAA March Madness brackets can be a good way to boost relationship satisfaction when couples keep it a fun, friendly competition.

The brain science of romantic love shows how NCAA March Madness brackets can be a good way to boost relationship satisfaction when couples keep it a fun, friendly competition.

Happiness

The Worst Way to Think About Happiness and Sadness

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 10, 2023

Happiness and sadness are complex, multi-dimensional emotions that are influenced by a variety of factors, but research shows they are not opposites.

Happiness and sadness are complex, multi-dimensional emotions that are influenced by a variety of factors, but research shows they are not opposites.

Teamwork

Cooperation or Betrayal: Which Strategy Fits You Best?

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on February 21, 2023

The snowdrift game illustrates a public goods dilemma in which people acting in their own self-interest can lead to a negative outcome for the group.

The snowdrift game illustrates a public goods dilemma in which people acting in their own self-interest can lead to a negative outcome for the group.

Career

The Worst Way to Use Your Time

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on February 5, 2023

When it comes to daily routines, there are endless possibilities. Here are some strategies for maximizing your time and improving your quality of life along the way.

When it comes to daily routines, there are endless possibilities. Here are some strategies for maximizing your time and improving your quality of life along the way.

Stress

10 Good Reasons to Keep a Journal

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on January 31, 2023

Stressed? Anxious? Need a boost in creativity? Try keeping a diary. By making this part of your daily routine, you can enhance mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Stressed? Anxious? Need a boost in creativity? Try keeping a diary. By making this part of your daily routine, you can enhance mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Stress

3 Keys to Managing Stress in Your Marriage

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on January 3, 2023

When romantic partners are under stress, the relationship can suffer too. Here are three ways stress reduction can help you, your partner, and your marriage.

When romantic partners are under stress, the relationship can suffer too. Here are three ways stress reduction can help you, your partner, and your marriage.

Alcoholism

2 Simple, Powerful Ways to Cut Alcohol Consumption

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 31, 2022

Addiction researchers have identified two simple, but effective, strategies for reducing alcohol that emphasize "why" change is important and "how" to actually do it.

Addiction researchers have identified two simple, but effective, strategies for reducing alcohol that emphasize "why" change is important and "how" to actually do it.

Personality

When You Can't See Your Own Illness

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 29, 2022

What makes a personality disorder different from other disorders in the DSM? One critical factor is "psychological insight". People with PDs do not always show self-awareness.

What makes a personality disorder different from other disorders in the DSM? One critical factor is "psychological insight". People with PDs do not always show self-awareness.

Fear

What a Simple Smile Reveals About Fear, Joy, and Clowns

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 29, 2022

Thanks to our ancestral relationship with faces, smiling shows us something fundamental about the nonverbal communication of honest information.

Thanks to our ancestral relationship with faces, smiling shows us something fundamental about the nonverbal communication of honest information.

Personality

Am I Paranoid, or Is It Schizophrenia? Here’s the Difference

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 29, 2022

Paranoid personality disorder and paranoid schizophrenia sound similar but are two different psychological issues. Here's to distinguish the two.

Paranoid personality disorder and paranoid schizophrenia sound similar but are two different psychological issues. Here's to distinguish the two.

Laughter

New Study Captures Fetuses' Facial Reactions to Foods

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 26, 2022

New research shows that fetuses express more of a "laughter-face" in response to carrot flavors consumed by mom and create more of a "cry-face" in response to kale.

New research shows that fetuses express more of a "laughter-face" in response to carrot flavors consumed by mom and create more of a "cry-face" in response to kale.

Intelligence

What You Know About Serial Killers May Be Wrong

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 9, 2022

From Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy to current unidentified murderers, we have learned a lot about the psychology of serial killers, but we still keep asking “why?”

From Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy to current unidentified murderers, we have learned a lot about the psychology of serial killers, but we still keep asking “why?”

Narcissism

Hunting a Serial Killer: Truth, Lies, Narcissism, and Fear

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on May 10, 2022

Two journalists talk about the psychological toll of investigating the Long Island Serial Killer case. It is a story filled with sadness, anger, entitlement, and corruption.

Two journalists talk about the psychological toll of investigating the Long Island Serial Killer case. It is a story filled with sadness, anger, entitlement, and corruption.

Heuristics

Why Good Service Earns a Good Tip From Many, But Not All

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 31, 2022

Some people adjust their tip amount based on the quality of service, while others tip the same no matter. Technology enables poor tipping without paying any social costs.

Some people adjust their tip amount based on the quality of service, while others tip the same no matter. Technology enables poor tipping without paying any social costs.

Sleep

Permanent Daylight Saving Time: The Good and Bad

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on March 30, 2022

A new law making daylight saving time permanent would allow for more evening activities, but not everyone agrees on the benefits.

A new law making daylight saving time permanent would allow for more evening activities, but not everyone agrees on the benefits.

Personality

What Are Cluster B Personality Disorders?

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on December 31, 2021

In addition to dramatic and emotional behavior, what characterizes antisocial, narcissistic, histrionic, and borderline personality disorders—collectively known as “Cluster B” disorders?

In addition to dramatic and emotional behavior, what characterizes antisocial, narcissistic, histrionic, and borderline personality disorders—collectively known as “Cluster B” disorders?

Personality

Making Sense of Cluster C Personality Disorders

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on November 23, 2021

What makes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders "cluster C" disorders?

What makes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders "cluster C" disorders?

Anxiety

Death at Astroworld: 5 Ways Crowds Can Quickly Go Bad

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on November 8, 2021

Too many lives were lost at the Astroworld concert tragedy, but this was not the first time. Here is what we know about the dangers of large, emotionally charged crowds.

Too many lives were lost at the Astroworld concert tragedy, but this was not the first time. Here is what we know about the dangers of large, emotionally charged crowds.

Personality

What Are Cluster A Personality Disorders?

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 30, 2021

Learn why the DSM-5 puts paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal disorders together.

Learn why the DSM-5 puts paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal disorders together.

Narcissism

How Far Will You Go for the Perfect Instagram Selfie?

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 28, 2021

The potent combination of thrill-seeking, narcissism, low anxiety, and the desire to achieve social media notoriety is pushing many to discount the dangers of extreme selfies.

The potent combination of thrill-seeking, narcissism, low anxiety, and the desire to achieve social media notoriety is pushing many to discount the dangers of extreme selfies.