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Making Sense

Using the past to make sense of perception today.

Environment
Taming Color

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on October 20, 2020

The mass production of color in the 19th century changed how people experienced the visual world. While color excited some, many others saw it as a threatening force to be tamed.

The mass production of color in the 19th century changed how people experienced the visual world. While color excited some, many others saw it as a threatening force to be tamed.

Mania
The Color Revolution

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on October 13, 2020

Today, we're surrounded by colorful art, objects, and fashion. But it took a 19th-century perceptual and cultural revolution to create our colorful world.

Today, we're surrounded by colorful art, objects, and fashion. But it took a 19th-century perceptual and cultural revolution to create our colorful world.

Gaslighting
The Invention of Color

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on October 6, 2020

Color, as we know it, is a remarkably modern invention. For most of human history, an individual’s access to colors was remarkably limited, and access to color was a sign of power.

Color, as we know it, is a remarkably modern invention. For most of human history, an individual’s access to colors was remarkably limited, and access to color was a sign of power.

Happiness
Is Color the Key to World Peace?

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

Some nineteenth-century psychologists argued that color perception could help resolve political and interpersonal conflict.

Some nineteenth-century psychologists argued that color perception could help resolve political and interpersonal conflict.

Bias
The Power of No

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on September 15, 2020

We hear a lot about the power of positive thinking. But what about negativity? Here’s what hostage negotiators and political marketers can teach us about the ability to say "no."

We hear a lot about the power of positive thinking. But what about negativity? Here’s what hostage negotiators and political marketers can teach us about the ability to say "no."

Freudian Psychology
How Has Hyperstimulation Changed Us?

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on September 8, 2020

The constant stimulation of modern life has novel neurological and psychological effects. Here are some ways the intensity of modern life changes our perception of the world.

The constant stimulation of modern life has novel neurological and psychological effects. Here are some ways the intensity of modern life changes our perception of the world.

Environment
Understanding the 5 Ways You Experience a Room

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on September 1, 2020

Every time you enter a space—no matter how bland or personal it may be—you inevitably get a “feeling.” Here are the five distinct components that go into your perception of a room.

Every time you enter a space—no matter how bland or personal it may be—you inevitably get a “feeling.” Here are the five distinct components that go into your perception of a room.

Psychology
How Department Stores Changed the Way We Understand Price

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on August 18, 2020

Price tags don’t strike us as revolutionary, but these little bits of paper dramatically altered economic psychology. Here’s how a few simple numbers changed life as we know it.

Price tags don’t strike us as revolutionary, but these little bits of paper dramatically altered economic psychology. Here’s how a few simple numbers changed life as we know it.

Memory
What’s an Internal Sense?

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on August 11, 2020

We think of memory, imagination, and judgment as “mental faculties,” but in the past, they were classified as “senses.” Why? And should we consider doing the same?

We think of memory, imagination, and judgment as “mental faculties,” but in the past, they were classified as “senses.” Why? And should we consider doing the same?

Fear
The Glass Delusion of Early Modern Europe

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on July 28, 2020

For centuries, a spate of educated men believed that their bodies were made of glass. Why was this delusion so prevalent, and why did it disappear?

For centuries, a spate of educated men believed that their bodies were made of glass. Why was this delusion so prevalent, and why did it disappear?

Meditation
Staring Death in the Face

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on July 7, 2020

The morgue was among the hottest 19th-century tourist attractions in Paris. Why? And how does seeing death on a daily basis alter one’s understanding of life?

The morgue was among the hottest 19th-century tourist attractions in Paris. Why? And how does seeing death on a daily basis alter one’s understanding of life?

Bias
There’s Nothing Neutral about Neutral Colors

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on June 16, 2020

Ever wondered why there aren’t more fuchsia cars? The prejudice against bright colors runs deep and can be traced back to the age of Western colonialism.

Ever wondered why there aren’t more fuchsia cars? The prejudice against bright colors runs deep and can be traced back to the age of Western colonialism.

Sex
Is Sex a Sixth Sense?

Carolyn Purnell Ph.D. on June 9, 2020

Many 18th- and 19th-century philosophers described sex as a sixth sense. It’s worth asking why.

Many 18th- and 19th-century philosophers described sex as a sixth sense. It’s worth asking why.