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Mind In The Machine

Consciousness, Cognition, and the Brain at Work

Environment
The Psychological Benefits of Finding Your Cosmic Purpose

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on December 1, 2022

The teleological stance is a science-based self-help system that turns your life into a game with a cosmic purpose. Taking this perspective infuses life with meaning and direction.

The teleological stance is a science-based self-help system that turns your life into a game with a cosmic purpose. Taking this perspective infuses life with meaning and direction.

Career
An Intro to Entropy for Neuroscientists and Psychologists

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on May 23, 2022

Entropy is a confusing concept, but it is also extremely useful for quantifying the properties of complex systems like the human brain. This article attempts to demystify the term.

Entropy is a confusing concept, but it is also extremely useful for quantifying the properties of complex systems like the human brain. This article attempts to demystify the term.

Free Will
Free Will Is Real and We Can Lose It

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on April 13, 2022

Previous studies seemed to suggest that humans do not have free will, but those findings were misinterpreted. New work suggests consciousness has causal power.

Previous studies seemed to suggest that humans do not have free will, but those findings were misinterpreted. New work suggests consciousness has causal power.

Free Will
Finding the Freedom in Free Will

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on February 10, 2022

According to famous physicists, free will is incompatible with a scientific worldview. New research investigating causal relationships suggests that this assumption may be wrong.

According to famous physicists, free will is incompatible with a scientific worldview. New research investigating causal relationships suggests that this assumption may be wrong.

Religion
Your Brain on God

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

Religion can be addictive just like a drug. Is that a good or a bad thing? It can be both.

Religion can be addictive just like a drug. Is that a good or a bad thing? It can be both.

Media
How Trump and Media Allies Target the Mentally Vulnerable

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

Bogus conspiracy theories will undoubtedly play a major role in the upcoming presidential election. The question is whether anything can be done about it.

Bogus conspiracy theories will undoubtedly play a major role in the upcoming presidential election. The question is whether anything can be done about it.

Bias
Implicit Racial Bias and Its Effects on Policing

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on June 30, 2020

Is there systematic racism in policing? Science says yes, but much of it may be implicit and unconscious. The good news is such biases can be detected and perhaps even corrected.

Is there systematic racism in policing? Science says yes, but much of it may be implicit and unconscious. The good news is such biases can be detected and perhaps even corrected.

Religion
Could a "Cosmic Religion" Unite a Divided Nation?

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on June 9, 2020

According to Terror Management Theory, the solution to all the division and chaos is a worldview that unites us all by aligning our common interests—the "Cosmic Perspective."

According to Terror Management Theory, the solution to all the division and chaos is a worldview that unites us all by aligning our common interests—the "Cosmic Perspective."

Self-Control
Learn to Control Your Mind Like a Monk With Real-Time fMRI

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on March 30, 2020

When people are given a way to see what’s happening inside their head in real-time, they can rapidly learn how to dampen pain, enhance self-control, and boost mental ability.

When people are given a way to see what’s happening inside their head in real-time, they can rapidly learn how to dampen pain, enhance self-control, and boost mental ability.

Anxiety
Family Distancing: Importance and Psychological Effects

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on March 27, 2020

Social distancing from infected or high-risk family members may soon become necessary for many people. Here's how to be prepared for the psychological effects.

Social distancing from infected or high-risk family members may soon become necessary for many people. Here's how to be prepared for the psychological effects.

Gaslighting
Some Media Outlets Are Gaslighting Us About Joe Rogan

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on January 25, 2020

Is gaslighting now being used by some media outlets to influence public opinion of political candidates? Intentional or not, we're being told some things that simply aren't true.

Is gaslighting now being used by some media outlets to influence public opinion of political candidates? Intentional or not, we're being told some things that simply aren't true.

Humor
How to Make Your “Dad Bod” Attractive

Bobby Azarian Ph.D. on December 30, 2019

Worried that your weight is affecting your ability to attract mates? Make your undesirable attributes appealing with this psychological strategy.

Worried that your weight is affecting your ability to attract mates? Make your undesirable attributes appealing with this psychological strategy.