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Ulterior Motives

How goals, both seen and unseen, drive behavior

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?

Motivation
How Broken Streaks Sap Motivation

Art Markman Ph.D. on June 12, 2023

Streaks are a part of the gamification toolkit. While the prospect of maintaining a streak can help someone keep going, breaking it can sap their motivation and drive.

Streaks are a part of the gamification toolkit. While the prospect of maintaining a streak can help someone keep going, breaking it can sap their motivation and drive.

Career
Do Belonging Interventions for College Students Work?

Art Markman Ph.D. on May 11, 2023

Success in college depends on being able to overcome difficulties. A feeling of belonging promotes this resilience. A new study suggests that a simple intervention may help.

Success in college depends on being able to overcome difficulties. A feeling of belonging promotes this resilience. A new study suggests that a simple intervention may help.

Cognition
For Bilinguals, Identity Is Influenced by Language

Art Markman Ph.D. on April 3, 2023

For people who speak more than one language, there can be subtle effects of language on thinking that can affect a person's identity in each language they speak.

For people who speak more than one language, there can be subtle effects of language on thinking that can affect a person's identity in each language they speak.

Punishment
How Children Learn When to Punish Others

Art Markman Ph.D. on January 11, 2023

People learn a lot about how to navigate the world from others rather than having behavior programmed in. Learning how to punish others is a case in point.

People learn a lot about how to navigate the world from others rather than having behavior programmed in. Learning how to punish others is a case in point.