People Unexplained

Identity

Why Other People Don't See Us the Same Way We Do

René Mõttus Ph.D. on March 19, 2023

It's common that our reputation is often quite different from what we think of ourselves. Here's why, and what this means.

It's common that our reputation is often quite different from what we think of ourselves. Here's why, and what this means.

Genetics

Why Personality Is Not Genetically Hardwired

René Mõttus Ph.D. on October 19, 2022

Genes matter for our traits, but not in the way many people think. We develop by fitting our genes to our environments, but are not determined by either.

Genes matter for our traits, but not in the way many people think. We develop by fitting our genes to our environments, but are not determined by either.

Personality

No, You're Probably Not Turning Into Your Mother

René Mõttus Ph.D. on June 12, 2022

Parents give us genes but keep their personality traits—so don't expect to know someone just because you know their parents.

Parents give us genes but keep their personality traits—so don't expect to know someone just because you know their parents.

Personality

How Age Changes Your Personality

René Mõttus Ph.D. on April 24, 2022

Some personality trait changes are more common than others, but not as much as you might think.

Some personality trait changes are more common than others, but not as much as you might think.

Genetics

Is Education Written in Genes?

René Mõttus Ph.D. on April 7, 2022

Does DNA say how much education someone is likely to get and why? A new study with 3 million people confirms what many already suspected.

Does DNA say how much education someone is likely to get and why? A new study with 3 million people confirms what many already suspected.

Personality

How Alike Do You and Your Partner Need to Be?

René Mõttus Ph.D. on March 31, 2022

Here’s what research says about partners’ similarity and whether it matters for relationship satisfaction.

Here’s what research says about partners’ similarity and whether it matters for relationship satisfaction.

Personality

How Do Major Life Events Change Your Personality?

René Mõttus Ph.D. on March 20, 2022

Personality trait change is common. Can it be predicted from life events?

Personality trait change is common. Can it be predicted from life events?

Extroversion

Why Almost No One Is 100 Percent Extraverted or Introverted

René Mõttus Ph.D. on March 13, 2022

Most people are somewhere around the average in almost any trait. Here's why.

Most people are somewhere around the average in almost any trait. Here's why.

Personality

How Do Modern Personality Tests Work?

René Mõttus Ph.D. on March 6, 2022

Personality tests work because test creators and takers trust each other. Here’s how they accomplish this.

Personality tests work because test creators and takers trust each other. Here’s how they accomplish this.

Personality

Will Your Personality Change in the Next 6 Years?

René Mõttus Ph.D. on February 26, 2022

Most people experience some personality trait change, regardless of their age.

Most people experience some personality trait change, regardless of their age.

Personality

Can You Trust Personality Tests?

René Mõttus Ph.D. on February 19, 2022

Have you taken a personality test and been unsure about the feedback? Here's how to think about it.

Have you taken a personality test and been unsure about the feedback? Here's how to think about it.

Growth Mindset

Why You Shouldn't Worry About Your Growth Mindset

René Mõttus Ph.D. on February 14, 2022

It may be nice to have a growth mindset. But most people with fixed and mixed mindsets are doing just as well.

It may be nice to have a growth mindset. But most people with fixed and mixed mindsets are doing just as well.

Personality

How Accurate Are National Stereotypes?

René Mõttus Ph.D. on February 8, 2022

Are people from other countries really so different from us? Despite widely held stereotypes, there are few noticeable differences among nations in psychological traits.

Are people from other countries really so different from us? Despite widely held stereotypes, there are few noticeable differences among nations in psychological traits.

Happiness

Why Much of Psychological Research Isn’t About You

René Mõttus Ph.D. on June 16, 2021

Psychological research is doing a good job at describing an abstract average person. But it doesn't tell us much about individuals like you and me.

Psychological research is doing a good job at describing an abstract average person. But it doesn't tell us much about individuals like you and me.