A Hovercraft Full of Eels

Heuristics

It Really Does Hurt to Think

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on November 4, 2024

Recent evidence suggests that more mental effort leads to more frustration—but sometimes it's worth it.

Recent evidence suggests that more mental effort leads to more frustration—but sometimes it's worth it.

Artificial Intelligence

Integrating AI Into Work: Start-Ups May Have an Advantage

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on October 1, 2024

AI offers potential value for organizations. But might start-ups be in the best position to capitalize on this new technology?

AI offers potential value for organizations. But might start-ups be in the best position to capitalize on this new technology?

Bias

Why Science Needs Human Experience

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on September 2, 2024

Without human experience, there is no science. Acknowledging the interplay between the two is essential to benefitting from scientific evidence.

Without human experience, there is no science. Acknowledging the interplay between the two is essential to benefitting from scientific evidence.

Workplace Dynamics

Managing Demand for Remote Work: Shadow Policies in 2024

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on August 5, 2024

Many companies have instituted in-office requirements. But might managers and employees find workarounds to these?

Many companies have instituted in-office requirements. But might managers and employees find workarounds to these?

Decision-Making

Navigating the Landscape of Unintended Consequences

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on July 8, 2024

Many decisions we make come with unintended consequences. But some may be more knowable and avoidable than others.

Many decisions we make come with unintended consequences. But some may be more knowable and avoidable than others.

Time Management

Time Poverty: Myths, Facts, and Solutions

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on June 3, 2024

Explore the myths and facts of time poverty. Discover practical tips to manage time effectively and reduce stress in our busy modern lives.

Explore the myths and facts of time poverty. Discover practical tips to manage time effectively and reduce stress in our busy modern lives.

Ethics and Morality

Scientists Possess Inflated Views of Their Own Ethics

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on May 6, 2024

How well do scientists know how effectively they apply research ethics? Probably not so well, but that should come as no surprise.

How well do scientists know how effectively they apply research ethics? Probably not so well, but that should come as no surprise.

Confidence

The Hidden Dangers of Expert Overconfidence

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on April 1, 2024

Are experts more confident in what they know than what they don't? Yes, but it's not so clear-cut.

Are experts more confident in what they know than what they don't? Yes, but it's not so clear-cut.

Happiness

Fake It Til You Make It: The Overhyped World of Happiness

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on March 4, 2024

There are lots of ways to purportedly improve one's happiness. But do any of them actually work?

There are lots of ways to purportedly improve one's happiness. But do any of them actually work?

Bias

Is Bias in AI Necessarily a Problem?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on February 5, 2024

The answer largely depends on the source of the bias and its impact on accuracy.

The answer largely depends on the source of the bias and its impact on accuracy.

Artificial Intelligence

Should We Use AI to Personalize Our Options?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on January 8, 2024

Using artificial intelligence to serve consumers with perfectly personalized options sounds great, but there may be some unexpected downsides.

Using artificial intelligence to serve consumers with perfectly personalized options sounds great, but there may be some unexpected downsides.

Artificial Intelligence

Prediction Based on Past Data Has Its Limits

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on December 12, 2023

Artificial intelligence relies on past data to predict future outcomes, but if parameters change, so does prediction accuracy.

Artificial intelligence relies on past data to predict future outcomes, but if parameters change, so does prediction accuracy.

Unconscious

Is Intuition Actually Unconscious?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on November 6, 2023

Is all decision-making conscious? A recent article claims yes, but the evidence is less overwhelming.

Is all decision-making conscious? A recent article claims yes, but the evidence is less overwhelming.

Bias

Action vs. Status Quo: Which Is More Problematic?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on October 3, 2023

The action and status quo biases can both affect our decision-making. Each offers benefits in some situations, but both come with tradeoffs.

The action and status quo biases can both affect our decision-making. Each offers benefits in some situations, but both come with tradeoffs.

Happiness

Is There More to a "Good Life" Than Happiness and Meaning?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on September 5, 2023

Recent articles have argued that we can obtain a good life without happiness and meaning. But does the evidence actually suggest this?

Recent articles have argued that we can obtain a good life without happiness and meaning. But does the evidence actually suggest this?

Career

Pay vs. Flexibility: The Decision-Making Conundrum

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on August 3, 2023

Many articles pit flexibility against pay and claim the former is more important to workers than the latter. But that likely isn't the case because both can be valued.

Many articles pit flexibility against pay and claim the former is more important to workers than the latter. But that likely isn't the case because both can be valued.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Can Increase the Importance of Human Expertise

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on July 5, 2023

Defaulting to AI-driven outputs can lead to unintended consequences. Might this suggest the need for human experts?

Defaulting to AI-driven outputs can lead to unintended consequences. Might this suggest the need for human experts?

Stress

Stress: A Topic Rife With B.S. and Overhype

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on June 5, 2023

Stress management is a multi-billion-dollar industry. But does it really provide much benefit?

Stress management is a multi-billion-dollar industry. But does it really provide much benefit?

Artificial Intelligence

Confirmation Bias in the Era of Large AI

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on May 1, 2023

Does the way you pose a question to ChatGPT, Bard, or other large language models affect out the output? It may under some conditions.

Does the way you pose a question to ChatGPT, Bard, or other large language models affect out the output? It may under some conditions.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Constraints Can Adversely Affect Informed Decision Making

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

How much stock should we put in AI-driven recommendations? A lot depends on how biased that information may be.

How much stock should we put in AI-driven recommendations? A lot depends on how biased that information may be.