Checkpoints

Education

Are College Students Blinkered Authoritarians?

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on October 11, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Many people worry that young adults have developed an authoritarian streak. But how true is it, and who is responsible?

A Personal Perspective: Many people worry that young adults have developed an authoritarian streak. But how true is it, and who is responsible?

Bias

Should Color-Blind Thinking Be Taboo?

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on October 2, 2023

Staffers at TED attempted to shut down Coleman Hughes' TED talk on color blindness, arguing that it was scientifically invalid. But was it?

Staffers at TED attempted to shut down Coleman Hughes' TED talk on color blindness, arguing that it was scientifically invalid. But was it?

Education

Misinformation Only Obscures History

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on July 26, 2023

The new Florida standards have been misrepresented in much of the news coverage.

The new Florida standards have been misrepresented in much of the news coverage.

Education

Kids' Math and Reading Scores Drop, but Is It Sgnificant?

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on June 28, 2023

Recent national test results for reading and math noted declines in the U.S. since 2020. But how bad were those declines and how much should we panic?

Recent national test results for reading and math noted declines in the U.S. since 2020. But how bad were those declines and how much should we panic?

Social Networking

Does Reducing Social Media Time Improve Mental Health?

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on June 22, 2023

A new study on social media use and mental health tells us little about the actual effects.

A new study on social media use and mental health tells us little about the actual effects.

Suicide

We Should Rethink the Doom-and-Gloom Messages We Tell Kids

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on May 15, 2023

Mental health problems are rising on college campuses. Is the doom-and-gloom way we're teaching our kids part of the problem?

Mental health problems are rising on college campuses. Is the doom-and-gloom way we're teaching our kids part of the problem?

Media

Social Media and Youth Mental Health

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on April 17, 2023

Is social media really to blame for youth mental health crises? The evidence may be less clear than we assume.

Is social media really to blame for youth mental health crises? The evidence may be less clear than we assume.

Gender

Does Gender-Affirming Medicine Help Trans-Identifying Youth?

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on April 7, 2023

A new study suggests modern gender-affirming medicine helps trans-identifying youth. But are its methods and lack of transparency up to the task?

A new study suggests modern gender-affirming medicine helps trans-identifying youth. But are its methods and lack of transparency up to the task?

Bias

Exploring Nostalgia Bias

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on February 20, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Our childhood was almost always worse than we remember. Why do so many of us nonetheless find it fascinating?

A Personal Perspective: Our childhood was almost always worse than we remember. Why do so many of us nonetheless find it fascinating?

Psychology

The Psychology of Hating Thanksgiving

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on November 22, 2022

We all know Thanksgiving is a colonialist holiday rooted in the genocide of Native Americans. But what if that's just a bunch of stuffing?

We all know Thanksgiving is a colonialist holiday rooted in the genocide of Native Americans. But what if that's just a bunch of stuffing?

Race and Ethnicity

We Need Better Science on Race and Policing

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on August 16, 2022

Many people believe police treat people of different races differently when it comes to force. But is the evidence for this clear?

Many people believe police treat people of different races differently when it comes to force. But is the evidence for this clear?

Domestic Violence

Mutual Abuse and the Depp/Heard Trial

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on May 11, 2022

Claims by a therapist that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard engaged in "mutual abuse" drew complaints from advocates. Does research support the claim?

Claims by a therapist that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard engaged in "mutual abuse" drew complaints from advocates. Does research support the claim?

Media

Does Free Speech Protect Criticism or Open Inquiry?

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

Free speech is critical to a functioning university campus. But do we value some people's free speech over others?

Free speech is critical to a functioning university campus. But do we value some people's free speech over others?

Race and Ethnicity

Is 2022 the Year of Censorship?

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on February 19, 2022

Is censorship on the rise in the US? And are there any "good guys" among the political right or left?

Is censorship on the rise in the US? And are there any "good guys" among the political right or left?

Health

What to Do About School Threats

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on December 16, 2021

Increasingly, states such as Florida are imposing harsh penalties for making threats in schools. Sometimes, this is warranted. But is a legal response right in every case?

Increasingly, states such as Florida are imposing harsh penalties for making threats in schools. Sometimes, this is warranted. But is a legal response right in every case?

Education

The Problem with Cancelling Halloween

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on October 25, 2021

Some schools are canceling Halloween in the name of "equity." But will this really bring people together, or will it be an "equity" of resentment and unfun?

Some schools are canceling Halloween in the name of "equity." But will this really bring people together, or will it be an "equity" of resentment and unfun?

Media

Can Dave Chappelle's Comedy Lead to Violence?

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on October 20, 2021

Some activists are concerned that Dave Chappelle's new special may provoke violence toward the trans community. Does the evidence support these fears?

Some activists are concerned that Dave Chappelle's new special may provoke violence toward the trans community. Does the evidence support these fears?

Motivation

Do Diversity Statements Help Diversity?

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on October 13, 2021

Requiring diversity statements from applicants for university faculty jobs is becoming more common. But do they help students?

Requiring diversity statements from applicants for university faculty jobs is becoming more common. But do they help students?

Gender

Video Games and Masculinity

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on September 13, 2021

A new report argues that sexualization and violence in video games are harming players—particularly boys. But is the evidence on their side?

A new report argues that sexualization and violence in video games are harming players—particularly boys. But is the evidence on their side?

Leadership

His Wokelency: How Biden Addresses Political Sectarianism Could Define His Legacy

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on July 1, 2021

In his early presidency, Joe Biden has leaned toward progressive causes and jargon. Could this be hurting the country and his own legacy?

In his early presidency, Joe Biden has leaned toward progressive causes and jargon. Could this be hurting the country and his own legacy?