Ian MacRae

About

Ian MacRae is an independent researcher specializing in the psychology of work, personality, digital communication, and emerging technologies. He has developed psychometric tests that have been used by hundreds of thousands of people. He is the author of several books that have been translated into a dozen languages, including High Potential and Dark Social, and his latest book is Web of Value: Understanding Blockchain and Web3’s Intersection of Technology, Psychology, and Business. He is currently serving on the British Psychological Society's Division of Occupational Psychology committee.

Books by Ian MacRae

Recent Posts

Folie à Deux, or How Two People Build Shared Delusions

Extreme cases of shared delusions reveal how relationships develop, grow, and sometimes disconnect from reality. Learn how intimacy can shift toward isolation—and what it teaches us.

Speaking the Unspeakable: What Holds Us Back from Sharing?

Some ideas spread like wildfire, while others stay hidden. How viral and dormant memes reveal the hidden social forces shaping what we share—and what we don’t.

What Memes Reveal About Our Brains

Your brain is biologically wired for memes. Here's what they reveal about how we process social cues and adapt to cultural information.

Finding Purpose in Work in an Age of Automation

A 19th-century thinker offers ideas on creativity and human agency that can help us pursue meaningful work in our modern age of automation.

How a Bit of Stress Can Keep Your Workplace Running Smoothly

Constant positivity isn’t realistic. Strategic stress, on the other hand, keeps things running smoothly at work and helps you tackle problems before they become even worse.

The Existential Crisis of Digital Identity

Our digital identities may feel permanent, but they’re not. Learn how the fragility of online platforms can impact our understanding of ourselves and our relationships.

Rickrolling AI: What It Reveals About Human Intelligence

Curious about how AI got caught in a classic internet prank? What AI Rickrolling reveals about trust, deception, and the unique characteristics of human intelligence.

How Low Conscientiousness Can Power High-Performing Teams

Discover how low conscientiousness can be an unexpected advantage, fueling creativity and innovation in top-performing teams. Cognitive diversity drives real success at work.

Why Do People Join Groups That Thrive on Emotional Chaos?

Belonging to a group feels good—but what happens when it starts to harm your well-being? Discover how destructive groups can distort your thinking and how to break free.

Ambiguity at Work: How Your Approach Shapes Your Success

Curious about how your approach to ambiguity impacts your career? Discover how working with uncertainty can shape your success and help you thrive in the right work environment.