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The Psychological Pundit

Psychological science as a field guide to life.

Education
Critical Strategies to Get Your Brain Ready to Learn

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on August 18, 2023

What if you had the expertise of cognitive science to help you learn better? What would you do? Surprise!!! The answer is NOT what most students do to study. Find out.

What if you had the expertise of cognitive science to help you learn better? What would you do? Surprise!!! The answer is NOT what most students do to study. Find out.

Education
Improving the Evaluation of College Teaching

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on September 30, 2022

While many students may complain about the quality of teaching they experience, too many colleges rely heavily on student evaluations of teaching. What else is there?

While many students may complain about the quality of teaching they experience, too many colleges rely heavily on student evaluations of teaching. What else is there?

Intelligence
Is It Time to Improve the Syllabus?

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on August 5, 2022

Fed up with boring, boilerplate syllabi? Our students are, too. A syllabus snapshot provides a refreshing welcome to a course and can make the class more approachable. Try it out!

Fed up with boring, boilerplate syllabi? Our students are, too. A syllabus snapshot provides a refreshing welcome to a course and can make the class more approachable. Try it out!

Education
Effective Teaching: What Exactly Is it?

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on June 27, 2022

Think you know an excellent teacher when you see one? Teaching is a multi-faceted, challenging endeavor, and there is little agreement on how to best measure it.

Think you know an excellent teacher when you see one? Teaching is a multi-faceted, challenging endeavor, and there is little agreement on how to best measure it.

Will Smith
Anger
Beyond Retribution: Why Did Will Smith Slap Chris Rock?

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on April 4, 2022

There have been many different takes on what WIll Smith's behavior at the Oscars means for him and what it says about society. But do we really understand why he did it in the first place?

There have been many different takes on what WIll Smith's behavior at the Oscars means for him and what it says about society. But do we really understand why he did it in the first place?

Media
Don't Get Stuck on Social Media: Take Control

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on September 14, 2021

Having trouble fighting the desire to check social media? Maybe you need to boost your self-regulation skills. One easy way is to use distraction.

Having trouble fighting the desire to check social media? Maybe you need to boost your self-regulation skills. One easy way is to use distraction.

Sleep
How Earworms Can Disrupt Sleep

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on June 22, 2021

Music can burrow into your brain like a worm and disrupt your sleep quality, even if you believe it is a comforting, relaxing activity. Three studies show how this happens and why.

Music can burrow into your brain like a worm and disrupt your sleep quality, even if you believe it is a comforting, relaxing activity. Three studies show how this happens and why.

Attention
Power of People: Why Being in a Crowd Feels Good

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on June 15, 2021

You may be wary of crowds due to the pandemic but your enjoyment of events can be enhanced by them. Why? Beyond a sign of better times, other people's reactions are helpful. Enjoy.

You may be wary of crowds due to the pandemic but your enjoyment of events can be enhanced by them. Why? Beyond a sign of better times, other people's reactions are helpful. Enjoy.

Education
Take Notes, on a Laptop or Longhand, It Does Not Matter

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on February 22, 2021

How do you take notes? Are your children taking notes during remote learning? Is writing notes out longhand the empirically proven way to go? Not anymore. Take note.

How do you take notes? Are your children taking notes during remote learning? Is writing notes out longhand the empirically proven way to go? Not anymore. Take note.

Media
Surviving the Elections

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on October 29, 2020

There are some psychological tools to help you cope with the weeks ahead. Here are some ways to get ready.

There are some psychological tools to help you cope with the weeks ahead. Here are some ways to get ready.

Looking Sharp
Bias
Undressing Racism: Clothing and Prejudice

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on July 7, 2020

Five seconds may be all it takes for someone to make a snap judgment about you. Can clothing also lead to prejudice? New research says yes.

Five seconds may be all it takes for someone to make a snap judgment about you. Can clothing also lead to prejudice? New research says yes.

Suit Up
Career
Put on Pants (and More) to Cope With Physical Distancing

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on March 24, 2020

When is the last time you wore clothing with buttons or a zip? Sweats are comfy but can they hinder coping? All things in moderation and some things need to be added to cope well.

When is the last time you wore clothing with buttons or a zip? Sweats are comfy but can they hinder coping? All things in moderation and some things need to be added to cope well.

Education
New Frontiers in Education: Moving Instruction Online

Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on March 16, 2020

It can take months to learn how to teach online. Now faculty around the country have days to move their teaching from face-to-face settings to completely online. Here is a primer.

It can take months to learn how to teach online. Now faculty around the country have days to move their teaching from face-to-face settings to completely online. Here is a primer.