The hottest Psychology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Sensitivity-to-the-world

box. • 359 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. Being labeled as 'gifted' or having ADHD can create pressure and frustration. Some people feel these labels don't really reflect their struggles and often lead to unfair expectations.
  2. It's important to address needs before they become critical. Creating an accommodating environment helps everyone feel supported and reduces the chance of slipping into crisis.
  3. Sensitivity can be viewed as a strength rather than a weakness. With the right tools and understanding, people can harness their sensitivity to succeed and thrive.

'Just put your phone away'

Brain Pizza • 1390 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. Smartphones are everywhere, and we're still figuring out social norms around their use.
  2. Smartphones are essential for modern life - from banking to booking flights, they're incredibly useful.
  3. Smartphones offer insights into psychology and neuroscience, allowing us to track thoughts and emotions in real-time.

Pricing power, revisited

Asian Century Stocks • 314 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
💼 Business Psychology
  1. Companies can raise prices by making customers feel positive about a purchase.
  2. Economic moats give companies the power to raise prices without losing business to competitors.
  3. Lowering the risk or perceived pain of purchase, creating positive emotions, and promoting a sense of community are key pricing strategies for successful companies.

Science of Dread

Brain Pizza • 595 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. Our minds often generate stress and anxiety, especially during challenging times like deadlines. It's important to understand where these feelings come from.
  2. Dark thoughts can shape our behavior and mindset. They often relate to fear and dread, which can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves.
  3. Events like Halloween highlight our fascination with fear. Exploring why we feel dread can help us cope with anxiety and stress better.

What chess taught me about the differences between men and women

The Joyous Struggle • 335 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Men and women are different, and these differences are reflected in chess aptitude, with implications beyond just biology or psychology.
  2. The gender question involves social, cultural, political, and historical factors, and the conversation must be navigated carefully.
  3. Chess aptitude differences between men and women are complex, with sociological explanations being compelling but not fully convincing.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Schedule a meeting with Rob Henderson

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 435 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. You can now book a one-on-one video call with Rob Henderson. It's a chance to talk about his writing or get life advice.
  2. Scheduling is easy and you can choose a time that suits you. Just make sure to book before spots fill up!
  3. These conversations are meant to be friendly chats, not formal therapy or medical advice.

Lyman Stone on the fertility decline

In My Tribe • 425 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. People are having fewer children because they believe they should. This is influenced by cultural changes rather than just economics.
  2. Declining marriage rates are a big reason for lower actual family sizes compared to desired family sizes. When people marry later or not at all, they tend to have fewer kids.
  3. Education is seen as a factor that leads to lower fertility, but it's complicated. In some cases, better education can lead people to delay marriage and parenthood.

Understanding Luigi Mangione

Philosophy bear • 500 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Psychology
  1. Luigi Mangione's journey shows how complex a person's beliefs can be. He seemed to struggle with various political ideas throughout his life, often changing directions.
  2. People often don’t think strictly in political terms, but rather look for answers to different issues independently. This highlights the difficulty in fitting people into rigid ideological boxes.
  3. Luigi's story underlines the importance of feeling included in communities, especially for those wanting to make the world a better place. A lack of belonging can lead to frustration and misguided actions.

Interesting reads, November 2024 edition

Brain Pizza • 529 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. The new 'Collective Minds' lab focuses on understanding how we think as a group. It's an interesting place to explore collective thought.
  2. Smartphones are often blamed for many problems in the world, but there might be other factors contributing to these issues.
  3. There's ongoing research about how our brain reacts to stories while watching movies. It's cool to see how our thoughts are tied to brain activity.

Do we as viewers become more sensitive to screen violence over time?

Textual Variations • 132 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Many people seem to feel more sensitive to violence in movies as they get older. This change can surprise those who used to watch scary films without a problem.
  2. Seeing real-life violence in news and media might make it harder for viewers to handle fictional violence. It's like the more we see, the more it affects us.
  3. This shift in sensitivity raises questions about how our experiences shape what we can tolerate in films. It makes you wonder if it’s normal to become more uneasy about violent content over time.

The AI basis of the Eve Theory of Consciousness

Vectors of Mind • 314 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. The Eve Theory of Consciousness suggests self-awareness was discovered by women and spread memetically.
  2. Personality structure can be understood using language models to determine latent factors related to important traits.
  3. Gossip and social selection played a role in shaping personality traits like considerateness and tolerance.

Is The Truth Out There?

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 14 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. People turn to conspiracy theories when life feels scary or unfair; anxiety, isolation, and normal thinking biases make hidden explanations seem satisfying.
  2. Belonging and status drive belief too — being "in the know" bonds people into groups, and social media and echo chambers amplify and spread those beliefs.
  3. Conspiracy beliefs cause real harm like lost trust, public-health failures, and political extremism, but they often grow from genuine grievances about economic decline and failing institutions.

Good At Sex: Seduction Via Narrative Reinforcement (pt 7)

Knowingless • 1188 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. Seduction is seen as a collaborative activity where both parties want the same thing - to overcome barriers and enjoy sex together.
  2. People often seek to reinforce narratives about themselves, so being able to sell the right self-image to someone can be a powerful tool in seduction.
  3. Understanding and appealing to a person's core desires and self-conception can be more effective in seduction than just focusing on physical attractiveness or immediate desires.

Psychology Links, 5/20/2025

In My Tribe • 212 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. Younger people tend to show traits like selfishness and callousness, while older people are generally more trusting and kind. These personality traits can change with age.
  2. Focusing too much on mental health can lead to overdiagnosis and distract from helping those who really need it. It's important to differentiate between regular emotions and actual mental health issues.
  3. There are concerns that early phone use could harm kids’ brains. Instead of relying on phones, having more caregivers might be a better option for young children.

Playing pretend

Erifili • 159 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. There is a rise in 'TikTok psychology' that promotes disingenuity and calculated behavior for human connections, especially among Gen Z.
  2. Being genuine and open in human connections leads to more fulfilling and rewarding experiences, contrary to what is often portrayed in quick psychology tips on social media.
  3. Embracing openness and authenticity in communication saves time and energy, fostering real connections and personal growth.

In Defense of Repression

Litverse • 379 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Psychology
  1. Our cells constantly die and renew, questioning our identity continuity - Are we the same from day to day?
  2. Around 20% of Americans receive mental health treatment, with generational differences in therapy acceptance.
  3. Repression can be seen as a means to connect to a greater meaning beyond the self and as a tool for survival.

Of Course DEI Programming Should Be Seen As Psychological Interventions And Held To The Appropriate Standards

Singal-Minded • 1728 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are facing challenges and skepticism.
  2. DEI interventions should be seen as psychological interventions and held to appropriate standards to ensure they do not cause harm.
  3. There is a lack of formal and rigorous evaluation of DEI programs, which hinders the ability to determine their effectiveness.

"Cheap tricks" in human language comprehension

The Counterfactual • 119 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. People often don’t notice mistakes in language and just assume they are reading correctly. This happens because our brains are quick to fill in the gaps and make sense of sentences, even if they are wrong.
  2. Traditionally, understanding language was thought to involve deep processing, but new ideas suggest we often use simple, fast tricks instead. This is called 'good-enough' comprehension and helps us keep up in fast conversations.
  3. Just like humans, language models also use shortcuts. While some criticize AI for not truly understanding language, humans rely on similar cognitive tricks to quickly navigate and understand communication.

The Eristics Test: The Scariest Personality Quiz You'll Ever Take

normality’s Substack • 17 HN points • 27 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. The Eristics Test is a unique personality quiz that helps you understand your emotions and archetype based on your responses. It asks you 16 sharp questions designed to tap into your feelings.
  2. This test categorizes emotions into six basic types and combines them to form complex emotions, resulting in nine distinct personality archetypes. Each archetype highlights different emotional strengths and responses.
  3. Taking the test may help you discover and address inner conflicts or traits you weren't aware of, potentially leading to personal growth and positive change.

New Normal

Disaffected Newsletter • 659 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Many people feel like they're living in a controlled and unnatural environment, similar to the film 'The Stepford Wives.' It's unsettling to interact with others who seem robotic and detached.
  2. Experiences in public spaces have changed significantly, making everyday interactions more uncomfortable than they used to be. People often follow strict rules that create a sense of isolation.
  3. There’s a growing divide in the U.S., with some areas feeling more 'normal' while others seem to embrace a strange new reality. Many are sensing a loss of genuine human connection.

(Don't Fear) The Blackpill

Default Wisdom • 177 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Incel slang is used within those communities as a way to show membership and create a sense of belonging. This helps to prove insider status among its members.
  2. Not all incels fit into a simple political label, and their community is actually quite diverse. They come from different backgrounds and hold various beliefs.
  3. People are forming emotional attachments to AI similar to their bonds with other humans. This could help some individuals practice healthier relationship habits.

Nomen est Omen (repost)

Secretum Secretorum • 353 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. An aptronym is when someone's name fits their job really well, like Usain Bolt being the fastest runner. There are also inaptronyms, where the name is ironically related to the profession.
  2. Nominative determinism is the idea that a person's name might influence their career choices and how others see them. A catchy name can give someone more confidence and help them succeed.
  3. Names have a cultural impact and can reflect community values. Different cultures use names flexibly and humorously, shaping how individuals relate to themselves and others.

The Seminar Continues

In My Tribe • 182 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🚌 Education Psychology
  1. Personality psychology helps us understand people better. It looks at how we predict and explain behaviors, which is important for our relationships.
  2. The Big Five model is a more reliable way to measure personality than older methods like Myers-Briggs. It uses continuous traits instead of strict categories.
  3. While personality traits can be stable over time, we can develop skills that help us function better, even if our core traits don't change much.

Can People Change their Personalities?

Mind & Mythos • 339 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Psychology
  1. Personality can change depending on the situation. For example, a person might act differently at work compared to how they are around family.
  2. People’s personalities can evolve throughout their lives, especially between ages 20 and 40. People often become more conscientious and agreeable during this time.
  3. Intentional changes to one’s personality are possible. Life experiences and therapy can help people adapt and change their traits over time.

The First Principles of Uncertainty

Deep Pulusani - Risk • 222 implied HN points • 01 May 25
📖 Philosophy Psychology
  1. Uncertainty is a normal part of life and can actually help us stay alert and learn new things. It's important to accept that some things are unpredictable, which makes it easier to handle tough situations.
  2. When making decisions, it helps to separate uncertainties that can be reduced by gaining more information from those that can't be controlled. This way, we can focus on what we can change instead of feeling overwhelmed.
  3. Taking action is a great way to reduce uncertainty. Even small steps can lead to new insights and help us feel more confident in our choices.

Linkpost for February

Thing of Things • 137 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. Long-term monthly payments and lump sum cash transfers are both effective ways of helping people, but short-term monthly payments are less effective.
  2. The Copenhagen Consensus Center has identified twelve programs that are more cost-effective than unconditional cash transfers for addressing global poverty.
  3. Malaria vaccines may be less cost-effective than bednets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention due to logistical challenges and similar efficacy.

I don't think SlateStarCodex readers have an average IQ of 137

Unconfusion • 199 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Self-reported IQ scores can be unreliable because people often round their answers or inflate their scores. This makes it hard to trust such numbers.
  2. The average IQ of a specific group can be misleading; just because a group attracts certain types of readers doesn't mean their average IQ is much higher than the general population.
  3. For groups to have a truly high average IQ, there usually need to be barriers or specific conditions in place, like competitive environments or rigorous selection processes.

Plagiarism: The philosophy, psychology and biology of why we don’t see eye to eye.

On Looking • 259 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Psychology
  1. Plagiarism is a significant issue in the creative industry, often going unnoticed or unpunished due to various factors like power imbalances and technological complexities.
  2. Our perception of images is influenced by a dynamic interplay of similarity and difference, with both forces being essential for creativity and artistic identity.
  3. Understanding plagiarism requires a multidisciplinary approach, considering philosophical, psychological, and biological perspectives on how people perceive and categorize similarities in creative works.

The Explosion Economy

Anima Mundi • 103 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Modern capitalism creates endless cravings, but doesn't satisfy them. This means people spend more time wanting than actually enjoying what they have.
  2. Cities and technology design make it hard to escape this constant wanting. They manipulate our desires, so we feel like we always need more.
  3. Some communities are finding ways to live differently, focusing on real satisfaction instead of produced desires. They want to balance technology and personal happiness.

Stephanie Winn and Josh Slocum on death

Disaffected Newsletter • 439 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎙 Podcasts Psychology
  1. Death is a mystery that many cultures and religions try to understand, but it's important to remember the practical aspects of what happens next. Flowers, caskets, and goodbyes are all parts of dealing with loss.
  2. Talking about death can be hard, but it doesn't always have to be serious. Having conversations that include some humor can help ease the heaviness of the topic.
  3. Josh Slocum's work focuses on how personal experiences shape our views on society, especially regarding difficult topics like death and family dynamics.

9 Myths About Doomscrolling and Collapse We Wish Everyone Knew

OK Doomer • 153 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Doomscrolling can be used positively. Instead of just feeling anxious, some people use it to learn and build communities around shared concerns.
  2. Historical events teach us about potential future collapses. Reading about past crises helps us understand what might happen today.
  3. Gaslighting about public health isn't new. It's been around for a long time, with authorities often downplaying serious issues to keep people calm.

Does Locker Drama Matter?

House of Strauss • 15 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🎾 Sports Psychology
  1. Stories of locker-room drama get a lot of attention, but once they’re widely reported the betting market usually prices that information in.
  2. Early rumblings are hard to measure and often make bettors nervous, even though it’s unclear how predictive they actually are.
  3. Many people believe strong team chemistry is important for winning in tough moments, but real cases show mixed outcomes so it’s not a reliable guarantee.

On [not] getting to Carnegie Hall

The Bell Ringer • 79 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🚌 Education Psychology
  1. Americans often celebrate practicing sports and music but view studying as stressful. This shows a difference in how we value different types of hard work.
  2. Practicing skills like singing or dancing can feel heroic and inspiring. But studying for tests can feel more like a chore, which isn't always motivating.
  3. People might find it easier to accept struggle in creative fields than in academics. This affects how students feel about putting in the effort to learn.