Ulterior Motives

Motivation

Apparently, Failure Is Overrated

Art Markman Ph.D. on October 30, 2024

Perhaps the tritest advice in self-help books over the past two decades is that we should not be afraid to fail. Research suggests people learn less from failures than we think.

Perhaps the tritest advice in self-help books over the past two decades is that we should not be afraid to fail. Research suggests people learn less from failures than we think.

Shame

How Are Shame, Guilt, and Embarrassment Different?

Art Markman Ph.D. on October 3, 2024

Embarrassment, shame, and guilt are all negative emotions you experience when you have done something wrong. Despite their similarities, they are distinct in important ways.

Embarrassment, shame, and guilt are all negative emotions you experience when you have done something wrong. Despite their similarities, they are distinct in important ways.

Loneliness

Loneliness Feeds on Itself

Art Markman Ph.D. on September 27, 2024

When you don't feel cared for or liked, you feel lonely. New research suggests that loneliness can also lead you to underestimate the care and regard you receive from others.

When you don't feel cared for or liked, you feel lonely. New research suggests that loneliness can also lead you to underestimate the care and regard you receive from others.

Child Development

Stories Can Help Children Learn to Explore

Art Markman Ph.D. on September 12, 2024

Children learn a lot about how to navigate the world from others. New research demonstrates how stories play a role in that learning.

Children learn a lot about how to navigate the world from others. New research demonstrates how stories play a role in that learning.

Cognition

How We Make Quick Decisions About the Number of Objects We See

Art Markman Ph.D. on September 10, 2024

You often have to make judgments about how many objects you see. New research suggests that the degree to which the objects are typically seen together affects those judgments.

You often have to make judgments about how many objects you see. New research suggests that the degree to which the objects are typically seen together affects those judgments.

Consumer Behavior

Reviews With Pictures Are (Sometimes) Helpful

Art Markman Ph.D. on June 7, 2024

Many factors may make a review more or less helpful. How do photos help a review have more impact? New research explores this question.

Many factors may make a review more or less helpful. How do photos help a review have more impact? New research explores this question.

Politics

The Psychological Value of Balanced Pragmatism

Art Markman Ph.D. on June 4, 2024

People want to talk to othes they disagree with when they have positive perceptions of them.

People want to talk to othes they disagree with when they have positive perceptions of them.

Self-Control

When Do People Think Abstinence or Moderation Is Better?

Art Markman Ph.D. on April 10, 2024

Some goals are seen as incompatible, while others as competitions for resources. How people view the conflict determines the strategy they think is best for resolving it.

Some goals are seen as incompatible, while others as competitions for resources. How people view the conflict determines the strategy they think is best for resolving it.

Punishment

Why Do Children Punish Unfairness?

Art Markman Ph.D. on March 13, 2024

Even young children may punish others who act unfairly. New research explores whether children do this strategically or punish unfairness in general.

Even young children may punish others who act unfairly. New research explores whether children do this strategically or punish unfairness in general.

Replication Crisis

Revisiting the Self-Refilling Bowl of Soup

Art Markman Ph.D. on February 26, 2024

A classic study of eating behaviors was called into question because of scientific misconduct. A team of researchers performed a successful replication of the research.

A classic study of eating behaviors was called into question because of scientific misconduct. A team of researchers performed a successful replication of the research.

Bias

Are People Aware of Automatic Attitudes?

Art Markman Ph.D. on January 16, 2024

Research has suggested that people are aware of their automatic attitudes about items that reflect the associations they have developed.

Research has suggested that people are aware of their automatic attitudes about items that reflect the associations they have developed.

Bias

Repeating Things Makes Them Seem True, Sort Of

Art Markman Ph.D. on November 29, 2023

Research spanning decades suggests you think the information you have heard before is true, but you probably underestimate the size of this bias.

Research spanning decades suggests you think the information you have heard before is true, but you probably underestimate the size of this bias.

Deception

The Complex Calculus of Lying

Art Markman Ph.D. on October 16, 2023

There are many situations in which people tell lies. Research suggests that this common activity requires some sophisticated thinking about other people.

There are many situations in which people tell lies. Research suggests that this common activity requires some sophisticated thinking about other people.

Confidence

What Drives Curiosity?

Art Markman Ph.D. on October 3, 2023

Situations can drive people's interest in knowing something. This "state" curiosity is affected by whether you think you should know something.

Situations can drive people's interest in knowing something. This "state" curiosity is affected by whether you think you should know something.

Stress

Choosing to Treat Stress as Positive Has Benefits

Art Markman Ph.D. on August 30, 2023

Stress is an energetic emotional reaction that people have to a problem or threat in their world. But is this emotional reaction good or bad?

Stress is an energetic emotional reaction that people have to a problem or threat in their world. But is this emotional reaction good or bad?

Aging

Why You May Feel So Much Younger Than You Are

Art Markman Ph.D. on August 9, 2023

Your subjective age is how old you feel. From middle age onward, research suggests that your subjective age is generally lower than your actual age.

Your subjective age is how old you feel. From middle age onward, research suggests that your subjective age is generally lower than your actual age.

Memory

What Are the Happiest Times of Your Life?

Art Markman Ph.D. on August 1, 2023

A long-term study of people's memory for their lives reveals interesting patterns about what ages leave the happiest memories.

A long-term study of people's memory for their lives reveals interesting patterns about what ages leave the happiest memories.

Self-Control

Norms Affect What You Can Think of Doing

Art Markman Ph.D. on July 11, 2023

There are lots of behaviors that society suggests are appropriate in some circumstances, but not others. How does that affect what you think about?

There are lots of behaviors that society suggests are appropriate in some circumstances, but not others. How does that affect what you think about?

Ethics and Morality

Does Scarcity Lead People to Lie?

Art Markman Ph.D. on July 3, 2023

A concern often expressed about welfare programs is that the funds will be misused. Do people in need tend to lie to get access to resources? New research suggests not.

A concern often expressed about welfare programs is that the funds will be misused. Do people in need tend to lie to get access to resources? New research suggests not.

Adolescence

Want Teens to Eat Better? Know Their Values

Art Markman Ph.D. on June 21, 2023

We often try to persuade others by demonstrating the benefits of taking the action we’d like them to take. What if that benefit is primarily in the long term?

We often try to persuade others by demonstrating the benefits of taking the action we’d like them to take. What if that benefit is primarily in the long term?