The hottest Psychology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

A Welcome to New Subscribers

Mind & Mythos • 199 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Psychology Humanities Personality Mythology
  1. Psychology connects many fields, and the author sees it as a mix of art and science. This blend leads to a better understanding of the human mind.
  2. The blog focuses on personality psychology, which ties together different areas of psychology. It's a way to explore how personality influences behavior and thoughts.
  3. The author plans to publish at least one essay each month and share shorter posts when inspired. Readers can find a guide to the content on the About page.

Keir Starmer, the Tortoise

The Ruffian • 282 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership Elections Psychology
  1. Keir Starmer faced a tough challenge when he took over Labour party leadership after a series of defeats.
  2. Despite lacking a strong personal connection with voters, Starmer shows determination and slow but steady improvement in his leadership style.
  3. Starmer's upbringing shaped his reserved and emotionally guarded leadership approach, but he is working on being more open and confident in public.

Day 1: The Dawn of Icarus

Malt Liquidity • 12 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
💰 Finance Trading Investing Market Analysis Risk management Psychology
  1. It's important to adjust your trading bets based on how much money you have. If you don't, you risk losing out when the market goes your way.
  2. Scalping small trades can be effective, but be careful not to overtrade. There's a fine line between making smart quick trades and making too many trades without focus.
  3. Staying invested in the market, even if it's not moving much, can pay off. It’s better to be in the market than trying to guess when to get in or out.

Oh no! Berkson's paradox in clinical theories

Unconfusion • 59 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Psychology Health Research Patient Care
  1. Berkson's paradox can lead to false conclusions about relationships between mental health traits. When studying a specific group, like patients at a clinic, the observed patterns might not apply to the general population.
  2. Clinicians need to be careful about the data they collect and how they interpret it. Just because a pattern looks clear in a limited sample doesn't mean it's true everywhere.
  3. It's important to think about where data comes from and how that affects conclusions. Sampling bias can easily lead to misunderstandings about the relationship between different mental health factors.
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Unpopular Correlations

Disaffected Newsletter • 339 implied HN points • 21 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Psychology Gender Politics Social Issues Media
  1. There seems to be a pattern where many gay men have challenging family relationships, particularly with their mothers and fathers. This may have an impact on their experiences and identities.
  2. Some believe that women with unstable emotional states are strongly represented in hard left political movements. Their communication can often include extreme emotional responses and denial of certain facts.
  3. Social media behavior can be revealing, like excessive political posts or personal photos that seem more focused on image than connection. This might highlight emotional issues in the person's life.

Book Review: The Strategy of Conflict

Skunk Ledger • 102 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
📚 Literature Book review Game Theory Negotiation Psychology
  1. The book discusses mixed-motive game theory, which combines cooperation and competition.
  2. It explores the power of tacit bargaining and how abstract ideas like framing and quality can influence negotiations.
  3. The concept of commitments is highlighted, showcasing how manipulating incentives and creating a reputation can lead to strategic advantages in conflicts and negotiations.

Links for 2024-02-08

Axis of Ordinary • 39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Psychology Politics Ukraine
  1. Recent remarkable results in cognitive science of language have challenged critiques of LLMs.
  2. New generative agents simulate human behavior for studying social policies and human behavior.
  3. OpenAI is developing device-operating software for automating complex tasks with minimal human intervention.

What the Law of Attraction has to offer Type A's

The Leadership Lab • 78 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Learning Psychology Self-Improvement Experimentation
  1. Belief in things happening without direct involvement can be beneficial for Type A personalities, promoting trust and allowing for more enjoyable journeys.
  2. High performers often have an unwavering belief in achieving their goals, which boosts resilience and positivity in difficult times.
  3. Balancing fundamental knowledge with experimentation is key for optimal learning, as relying solely on hacks or fundamentals can lead to stagnation.

Why We Fail to Change

The Leadership Lab • 78 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
💼 Business Leadership Behavior Change Organizational development Psychology Self-Improvement
  1. Behavior change fails when we target outcomes that do not truly align with our desires. Adjust goals if they do not feel right.
  2. Change can be hindered when more immediate needs take precedence. Focus on addressing foundational needs first before pursuing higher aspirations.
  3. Uncertainty can impede behavior change, even when all other elements seem aligned. Find and believe in a reliable process to facilitate change.

Reveal Your Contradictions

David Spinks' Newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Communication Identity Community Psychology Self-Expression Humanity
  1. It's normal to feel conflicting emotions about big issues, like elections. You can acknowledge these feelings instead of trying to pick one side.
  2. Naming your contradictions can help you connect with others. It shows you're human, which encourages openness and shared understanding.
  3. Holding in your feelings can distance you from others. Embracing your messy thoughts can lead to more acceptance of different opinions and experiences.

Training armed teachers for real-world school shooting scenarios

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🚌 Education Training Safety Prevention Ethics Psychology
  1. Teachers need formal training and practice to effectively handle real-world school shooting scenarios.
  2. Armed teachers must undergo specialized training in areas like firing at moving targets, room clearing, door breaching, counter sniper tactics, etc.
  3. Consequences of lacking proper training for armed teachers can result in deadly outcomes, such as shooting the wrong person or escalating hostage situations.

Illusory Truth Effect

Psych • 39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🔬 Science Psychology Cognitive Bias
  1. The Illusory Truth Effect is a phenomenon where repetition can make us believe something is true, even if it's not.
  2. It can influence decision-making by shaping our perceptions and beliefs.
  3. There are strategies to mitigate the Illusory Truth Effect, such as fact-checking and seeking diverse sources of information.

The Forgettability of Sameness

The Analog Family • 119 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🎭️ Culture Lifestyle Psychology Family Entertainment Personal Growth
  1. Having fun and trying new things can help make your life moments memorable. When you break from routine, it creates special memories that stand out.
  2. Using screens too much can make time feel like it's disappearing. It's easy to lose track of time when you're just scrolling or consuming content passively.
  3. Injecting fun and exciting experiences into your life can slow down how fast time seems to fly. It's important to focus on real-world activities instead of getting lost in devices.

Gullible, me? No way! 🤷🏻‍♀️— Anchoring bias

10x your mind • 199 implied HN points • 09 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology Self-Improvement Decision-making Physical activity Personal Growth
  1. Anchors influence our decision-making more than we realize, affecting things like budgeting, salary setting, and party planning.
  2. The anchoring bias can lead us to make decisions based on irrelevant or absurd information, impacting negotiation outcomes and everyday choices.
  3. To counter the anchoring bias, it's beneficial to make the first offer in negotiations, delay important decisions to avoid impulse buys, and use anchors to set higher personal standards for growth.

It's time for us to hang out again

Disaffected Newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Film Events Media Community Psychology
  1. The Zoom hangouts are starting back up after a busy holiday period. It's a chance to reconnect and have fun together.
  2. There will be a movie screening of 'Ordinary People' on January 29, 2023. It's a classic film that explores family dynamics in tough situations.
  3. After the movie, there will be time to discuss it with everyone. It's a great way to enjoy a film and share thoughts with friends.

Exploring Social Loafing in Human-Computer Teams

UX Psychology • 59 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🔬 Science Human-computer interaction Psychology Artificial Intelligence Research Methods Technology
  1. Social loafing in human-computer teams can lead to reduced human effort over time, even if participants report consistent effort and engagement.
  2. Humans may rely excessively on dependable robotic or AI teammates, potentially impairing human attentiveness and performance.
  3. Mitigating the effects of social loafing in human-computer teams can involve strategies such as establishing individual accountability, validating robot or AI performance, and designing robots/AI to provide motivation to human teammates.

Links for 2024-01-12

Axis of Ordinary • 39 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Astronomy Compute Psychology Ukraine
  1. AI advancements showcased in different domains like video models, AI glasses for the visually impaired, and AI-powered cough tracking apps.
  2. Exciting developments in astronomy with potential signs of life on exoplanets.
  3. Innovation in computing with faster nanotechnology, graphene spintronics, and Silicon Photonics breaking bandwidth limitations.

The Region-Beta Paradox and its Impact on Product and Experimentation Thinking

CAUSL Effect • 119 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
💼 Business Product Development User Experience Psychology Market fit Experimentation
  1. The Region-Beta Paradox shows that people often tolerate mild discomfort until they reach a more intense state, which can lead to faster recovery. In simple terms, we might ignore small problems until they become serious.
  2. This idea can change how product teams think about improving customer experiences. Instead of aiming for perfect satisfaction, it might be okay to allow for some mild frustration, as it can be a signal for customers to take action.
  3. Not all products need to be perfect to be successful. Sometimes, a product that fits well in the market is more important than one that delivers an ideal experience but lacks user interest.

Does Psychological Science Need Science or Bullshit?

Unsafe Science • 97 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. The paper discusses the use of empty verbiage and fuzzy buzzwords in scientific writing.
  2. The author points out the importance of empirical evidence over references to support claims in psychological science.
  3. Assertions in research papers should be substantiated with empirical studies and avoid vague, unsupported claims.

Does Using Social Media Cause Mental Health Problems?

Mind & Mythos • 119 implied HN points • 11 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Social media Psychology Research Wellness
  1. Using social media doesn't seem to cause more mental health issues, according to a large study.
  2. The research looked at many studies and found no strong link between smartphone use and negative mental health effects.
  3. It's important to keep exploring how social media affects people since the findings can be different in various situations.

A psychology PhD's journey from academe to human factors engineering

The Recovering Academic • 59 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
💼 Business Psychology Engineering Academia Career transition Professional networking
  1. Ashley Ruba transitioned successfully from academia to the industry, showcasing the value of building online professional relationships.
  2. The academic job market can be challenging and unmeritocratic, leading to difficulties in securing faculty positions despite impressive achievements.
  3. Ashley Ruba's journey highlights the importance of exploring career options outside of academia, especially when facing challenges like limited job prospects and the impact of external factors.

Story: Adaptation or Spandrel?

Holodoxa • 79 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Fiction Evolution Psychology Sociology
  1. Humans rely on stories to make sense of the world, whether derived from reality or imagination, and storytelling may have played a vital role in human survival and development.
  2. Storytelling has a unique structure that simplifies the complexity of life and allows for the synchronization of countless minds, shaping societies, movements, and institutions.
  3. The debate on whether storytelling is an adaptation or a spandrel is significant in understanding human nature, with arguments for both sides pointing to storytelling's impact on cognitive functions, social cohesion, and group dynamics.

The Psychology of Apple's Packaging

SatPost by Trung Phan • 69 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology Technology Packaging Design Marketing
  1. Apple prioritizes packaging as a form of theater to create memorable unboxing experiences.
  2. The design of Apple packaging is deeply rooted in human psychology, focusing on creating a luxury, multi-sensory experience.
  3. Apple's packaging reflects the company's commitment to perfection and attention to detail, reflecting their dedication to creating a high-quality product.

The hungry ghost of arrival bias

Mindset Mastery • 58 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mindset Psychology Happiness Mindfulness
  1. Feelings of being behind or not reaching a destination are common but often based on a misleading concept of arrival bias.
  2. Arrival bias leads us to believe that reaching certain milestones will bring fulfillment, but in reality, there is no ultimate destination that guarantees happiness.
  3. Happiness and satisfaction come from appreciating the small moments along the journey rather than fixating on reaching a specific 'there.'

Notes on Trading using Tom Dante's teachings.

Philoinvestor • 58 implied HN points • 26 May 23
💰 Finance Trading Strategies Psychology Mistakes Discipline
  1. You are the edge in trading, not the systems.
  2. Tom Dante created the Demon Finder tool to identify and clear trading mistakes.
  3. Common errors in trading include boredom, FOMO, fear, moving stops prematurely, biased thinking, and lack of discipline.
  4. Remember in trading: no free trades, don't rely solely on momentum, profitability in a niche is useless without patience.

Discussion thread #2: Your best examples of the "leaden mean"?

Building the Builders • 3 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology Philosophy Parenting Social Dynamics Communication
  1. Striking a balance can sometimes lead to a 'leaden mean', which is a situation that creates more problems than it solves. It's better to fully commit to one side or the other rather than trying to do both poorly.
  2. Examples of the 'leaden mean' include awkward hybrid meetings where people are split between in-person and virtual attendance, or relationships where partners hold on to their individual spaces instead of truly coming together.
  3. This phenomenon often happens when we feel indecisive or afraid to commit. Recognizing when we're at risk of choosing the 'leaden mean' can help us make better decisions.

Ways of Seeing—On Bernhard's Old Masters

Vremya • 199 implied HN points • 11 Aug 22
📚 Literature Fiction Philosophy Art Criticism Psychology
  1. Everything in art, as in life, has flaws. When we look closely, we’ll often find faults, even in the greatest masterpieces.
  2. Our personal experiences shape how we see the world. Sometimes, our pain or feelings can color our view of things, making us more critical or negative.
  3. Losing someone we love changes everything. It can make us see things differently, and sometimes, we may feel that nothing else holds the same meaning or value.