Psych Unseen

Politics

Are We Really All Authoritarians at Heart?

Joe Pierre M.D. on April 22, 2024

The predisposition to authoritarianism isn't about the Right or the Left so much as an intolerance of our ideological opposites.

The predisposition to authoritarianism isn't about the Right or the Left so much as an intolerance of our ideological opposites.

Personality

Why Do People Choose Authoritarianism Over Democracy?

Joe Pierre M.D. on April 16, 2024

The appeal of authoritarianism isn't about wanting to be controlled; it's about removing the protections of democracy to control others.

The appeal of authoritarianism isn't about wanting to be controlled; it's about removing the protections of democracy to control others.

Suicide

A Postscript and Postmortem on the Suicide of Aaron Bushnell

Joe Pierre M.D. on March 1, 2024

Our ideological beliefs influence how we view suicide as a political act.

Our ideological beliefs influence how we view suicide as a political act.

Suicide

Self-Immolation Is Often Part Protest, Part Suicide

Joe Pierre M.D. on February 29, 2024

What does research on self-immolation tell us about recent acts of suicide by fire?

What does research on self-immolation tell us about recent acts of suicide by fire?

Motivated Reasoning

The Taylor Swift Conspiracy to Get Biden Reelected

Joe Pierre M.D. on February 19, 2024

Belief in a conspiracy theory that Taylor Swift is part of a secret plot to get Biden reelected may be explained by partisan motivated reasoning and fears about the 2024 election.

Belief in a conspiracy theory that Taylor Swift is part of a secret plot to get Biden reelected may be explained by partisan motivated reasoning and fears about the 2024 election.

Motivated Reasoning

What Causes Terrorism? Mental Illness or Ideological Belief?

Joe Pierre M.D. on December 7, 2023

Racial bias and motivated reasoning drive causal attributions of terrorist violence.

Racial bias and motivated reasoning drive causal attributions of terrorist violence.

Religion

Is Religious Faith Compatible With Scientific Thinking?

Joe Pierre M.D. on November 14, 2023

Integrating faith-based and evidence-based beliefs in a mentally-healthy way.

Integrating faith-based and evidence-based beliefs in a mentally-healthy way.

Cognition

Straddling the Fence of Pathological Belief

Joe Pierre M.D. on October 31, 2023

"Fence-sitters" represent the low-hanging fruit of pathological belief where psychotherapeutic interventions can lessen ideological commitment.

"Fence-sitters" represent the low-hanging fruit of pathological belief where psychotherapeutic interventions can lessen ideological commitment.

Psychopharmacology

Will New Antipsychotics for Schizophrenia Be Game Changers?

Joe Pierre M.D. on September 25, 2023

Two new medications offer novel mechanisms of action to treat patients with schizophrenia who don't respond to other antipsychotic drugs.

Two new medications offer novel mechanisms of action to treat patients with schizophrenia who don't respond to other antipsychotic drugs.

Psychopharmacology

Antipsychotic Therapy Since the 1950s: Little Has Changed

Joe Pierre M.D. on September 21, 2023

For years, a combination of bad luck and financial risk aversion has stifled antipsychotic drug development.

For years, a combination of bad luck and financial risk aversion has stifled antipsychotic drug development.

Conspiracy Theories

Why Are Celebrity Deaths and Illnesses Blamed on Vaccines?

Joe Pierre M.D. on August 30, 2023

Belief in vaccine misinformation is fueled by the illusory truth effect, the innuendo effect, and rising anti-establishment sentiment.

Belief in vaccine misinformation is fueled by the illusory truth effect, the innuendo effect, and rising anti-establishment sentiment.

Cognition

Nonbelievers and the "Holy Trinity of Truth Detection"

Joe Pierre M.D. on June 12, 2023

Nonbelievers aren't nihilists who don't believe in anything. They use cognitive flexibility, intellectual humility, and analytical thinking to accept that others may disagree.

Nonbelievers aren't nihilists who don't believe in anything. They use cognitive flexibility, intellectual humility, and analytical thinking to accept that others may disagree.

Psychiatry

Pathological Belief: The 5 Stages of Ideological Commitment

Joe Pierre M.D. on June 5, 2023

The more passionately, stubbornly, and defensively we hold onto ideological beliefs, the greater the risk of distress, interpersonal conflict, and potential violence.

The more passionately, stubbornly, and defensively we hold onto ideological beliefs, the greater the risk of distress, interpersonal conflict, and potential violence.

Psychosis

A Differential Diagnosis of Demonic Possession

Joe Pierre M.D. on May 25, 2023

Cases of purported demonic possession appear to be on the rise. There are several possible explanations beyond the simple dichotomy of "real" vs. "delusional."

Cases of purported demonic possession appear to be on the rise. There are several possible explanations beyond the simple dichotomy of "real" vs. "delusional."

Identity

Enacted Identities: Multiplicity, Plurality, and Tulpamancy

Joe Pierre M.D. on February 13, 2023

Here's how newer expressions of plural identity can update old views of dissociative identity disorder.

Here's how newer expressions of plural identity can update old views of dissociative identity disorder.

Identity

The Debate Over Whether Dissociative Identity Disorder Is "Real"

Joe Pierre M.D. on February 7, 2023

Resolving the debate over dissociative identity disorder should focus less on trying to answer whether the disorder is "real" and more on how and why identities are "enacted."

Resolving the debate over dissociative identity disorder should focus less on trying to answer whether the disorder is "real" and more on how and why identities are "enacted."

Trauma

Are Mental Disorders Brain Diseases or Trauma Reactions?

Joe Pierre M.D. on January 30, 2023

The biopsychosocial model steers away from reductionistic "either/or" debates.

The biopsychosocial model steers away from reductionistic "either/or" debates.

Media

Will Elon Musk Make Twitter a Wild West of Misinformation?

Joe Pierre M.D. on December 1, 2022

Removing content moderation and allowing anyone to buy a blue check is not the way to become "the most accurate source of information in the world."

Removing content moderation and allowing anyone to buy a blue check is not the way to become "the most accurate source of information in the world."

President Donald Trump

Does Violent Political Rhetoric Lead to Real Violence?

Joe Pierre M.D. on November 6, 2022

The more we normalize violent political speech, the more we can expect political violence in our future.

The more we normalize violent political speech, the more we can expect political violence in our future.

Altruism

Impact of the Economy on Swing Voters

Joe Pierre M.D. on October 25, 2022

As we head into the midterm elections, voters can’t afford altruism.

As we head into the midterm elections, voters can’t afford altruism.