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Remembering History: The Personal Lens of Collective Events
How do we remember pivotal moments in history, and why do they feel so personal? This blog explores the psychology of memory, from flashbulb memories of impactful events to the cultural and emotional factors that shape how we recall the past.
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When Will My Therapist Diagnose Me With “Eldest Daughter Syndrome”?
Has your TikTok For You Page bombarded you with influencers proclaiming that you might suffer from Eldest Daughter Syndrome? The app’s algorithm can’t diagnose you with a mental illness (yet), but, even if it could, Eldest Daughter Syndrome just refers to a collection of personality traits, not a real condition. The phrase is typically associated…
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The Psychology of Climate Change
This article explores the psychological and social challenges in addressing climate change, emphasizing how evolutionary and cognitive biases hinder our responses to this global crisis. It delves into the complexities of human behavior and societal structures that make it difficult to enact effective climate action and considers how these obstacles might be overcome through increased…
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Brainpower in Full Bloom: The Cognitive Benefits of Rosemary and Lavender Aromatherapy
This article explores how aromatherapy can enhance cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and mental clarity, drawing on both real-world applications and its potential benefits for neurological health.
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“Are You There, god? It’s Me, Margaret”: Let’s talk about puberty!
In third grade, my mom handed me a frail copy of Are You There god? It’s Me, Margaret (AYTGIMM), by Judy Blume. The pages were discolored, the binding hanging on by a thread (literally). The state of the book mirrored my feelings after having “the puberty talk” at school, split by males and females, cramped in…
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Take It Easy: Reap the Benefits of Resting on Purpose
How do we “rest on purpose”? Let’s start with redefining the relationship between rest and work.
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What Neural Networks Put Second: Categorization Models as a Window into the Nature of Memory
What do older cognitive models of categorization tell us about memory that state-of-the-art neural networks do not? The difference between past and present is not just one of performance, but also of psychological insight.
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Obedience, Power, and Violence
Is an ordinary person capable of committing heinous acts? After the Holocaust (1941-45), many questioned how Nazi soldiers were capable of such senseless murder. Did it take a certain type of person, or did there exist situational factors that enabled their behavior? This historical moment inspired a series of influential psychological studies. Milgram’s Electric Shock…
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Let’s fight (the bad guys): Do superheroes teach kids good or evil?
Everyone loves a good superhero story. Superheroes have been a fixture in American pop culture for decades, but in the past 10-15 years we’ve witnessed a resurgence of superhero mania. Between movies, TV shows, toys, and even national conventions, the superhero fever is real. Given that superhero stories are characterized by themes of fighting against…
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Polyvagal Theory Part 1: The Wandering Nerve
The polyvagal theory is a neurobiological theory relating social engagement, physiology, and developmental outcomes. When I was first learning the theory, I struggled to understand some of the theory’s basic terms and could not find a resource that simplified it. Therefore, this three–part series of articles is intended to serve as an introduction to the…