The hottest Psychology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

am I really the crab?

Psychology Onions • 98 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. Evolutionary biology concept of carcinisation states that eventually everything becomes a crab.
  2. The idea of fatherhood can be appealing, but it's a long journey to navigate.
  3. Uncertainty arises about whether one is following a traditional father-son evolutionary path or if they're at the end point like a crab.

Edu-Snippets

The Science of Learning • 139 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🚌 Education Psychology
  1. Giving students worked examples in math can help them feel less anxious and learn better. It makes math easier for those who usually struggle with it.
  2. Being in nature can help people feel more relaxed and focused, while watching videos of nature doesn't have the same benefits. For real restoration, you need real nature.
  3. Brain training apps may help you get better at their specific games, but they don’t really make you smarter in everyday life. They haven't shown strong proof of boosting general brain skills.

The Diderot Effect

Psych • 58 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. The Diderot Effect is triggered by acquiring new possessions.
  2. It creates a cycle of wanting to upgrade belongings to match the new possession's status.
  3. Consumer behavior is influenced by how purchases shape one's identity and perception of other possessions.
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My journey from ADHD skeptic to Adderall enthusiast

Building the Builders • 38 implied HN points • 16 Aug 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. ADHD is often misunderstood and can lead to feelings of shame about one's abilities. Understanding it as a real condition can help people realize they are not lazy or weak-willed.
  2. Adderall can significantly improve focus and executive function for those who need it, helping them achieve their goals and maintain their attention over time.
  3. It's important to think of ADHD not just as a diagnosis, but as a way to understand your brain's functioning. This perspective can empower individuals to take control of their lives and use tools like medication effectively.

The biological reasons boys suck at school

Sex and the State • 49 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🚌 Education Psychology
  1. Boys generally struggle more in school than girls due to differences in behavior and brain development. They often have trouble with focus, patience, and following instructions, which are important for success in formal education.
  2. School systems often fail to meet the needs of boys, particularly those who are low-performing. Many boys feel frustrated and unengaged, leading them to drop out or act out in class.
  3. To help boys succeed, schools should provide more practical learning options like apprenticeships, trade schools, and classes that match their skills and interests. Boys thrive when they feel needed and responsible.

Understanding Human Personality

Mind & Mythos • 319 implied HN points • 17 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. Personality describes who people are and can change over time or in different situations. It's not just about traits, but also about how people can act differently under various circumstances.
  2. The Five Factor Model (FFM) outlines five major traits—Neuroticism, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness—which help us understand how personality affects our actions and relationships.
  3. Cybernetic Big Five Theory explains how our personality traits drive our goals and behaviors. It shows how feedback from our environment helps us adapt and achieve what we need.

A Welcome to New Subscribers

Mind & Mythos • 199 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Psychology
  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.

~75% of Psychology Claims are False

Unsafe Science • 161 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. A lot of psychology studies are not reliable, with about 75% of their claims likely being false. So, it's best to be skeptical of what you read in this field.
  2. Many published psychology findings are difficult to reproduce. This means that even though a study shows something, there's a good chance it might not be true when tried again.
  3. Censorship and ignoring opposing evidence can lead to more misinformation in psychology. Some studies get more attention even when their findings are wrong or contested.

Group Narcissism

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 429 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. The concept of group narcissism can explain conflicts within society where groups exaggerate their own virtues and respond disproportionately when threatened.
  2. Vicarious group narcissism occurs when a group cannot exhibit its own narcissism, so it projects this onto another group, creating additional issues.
  3. Maintaining civility in a diverse society requires allowing old ethnic and religious bonds to fade, but current conflicts globally suggest these bonds are being strengthened, leading to rising group narcissism and vicarious group narcissism.

You're Not a Fearmonger. You Have Sentinel Intelligence.

OK Doomer • 139 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Cassandra, a character from Greek mythology, could see the future and warn others, but nobody believed her. This shows how hard it can be when people ignore important warnings.
  2. Many people today feel like Cassandra because they notice threats like climate change but are dismissed as negative or paranoid. There's a common tendency to avoid tough conversations and stick to positive thinking.
  3. Having 'sentinel intelligence' means being aware of real threats and speaking out about them, even if others react negatively. This awareness is important for making informed decisions for a better future.

Oh no! Berkson's paradox in clinical theories

Unconfusion • 59 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🏥 Health Politics Psychology
  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.

Unpopular Correlations

Disaffected Newsletter • 339 implied HN points • 21 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  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.

Embryo selection and our Stone Age psychology

Parrhesia • 494 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. Selection for traits like emotional intelligence can enhance human flourishing
  2. Clinical traits are viewed as acceptable for embryo selection as they reduce debilitating conditions
  3. Evolutionary mismatch shows our psychology hasn't caught up with modern advancements

Doctored Photographs

Brain Lenses • 39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. Manipulated photographs can lead to false memories in participants.
  2. Replication studies can validate research findings.
  3. Cultural context can influence the impact of manipulated images on memory.

Links for 2024-02-08

Axis of Ordinary • 39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Psychology
  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.

How to figure out the stuck spot

Mindset Mastery • 39 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. There are internal and external blocks that can cause us to feel stuck in life or work.
  2. Internal blocks involve our beliefs and mindset, which can be changed with awareness and effort.
  3. Addressing internal blocks can help us overcome challenges and move forward in our goals.

Science Fictions links for February 2024

Science Fictions • 285 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. AI-generated fake content can slip through scientific gatekeepers, raising concerns for future integrity.
  2. Replication attempts in psychology from the 1950s and 60s are not holding up well.
  3. There are efforts to spot and report errors in scientific papers, contributing to a more accurate scientific landscape.

We Are The Enemy

Finding Joy • 78 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. There is no 'us' and 'them' - just 'we' in all of our humanity.
  2. People who do 'bad' things often convince themselves their actions are acceptable.
  3. Being passive can contribute to harm - inaction is a choice, so speak out and take action.

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

The Leadership Lab • 78 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  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 Psychology
  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.

The Red-Pill Delusion About Women

Erik Examines • 89 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Women have always been active in choosing their partners, not just passive victims. Relationships involve love and emotional connections, not just power dynamics.
  2. Both men and women experience sexual desire, and female desire is often influenced by emotional connections and cultural factors. It's wrong to see women as simply waiting for men to take charge.
  3. Modern dating challenges are not because women are too free, but because some men struggle with women's independence and equality. Healthy relationships should be based on mutual respect and understanding.

Permission to Act: The Psychology of Effective Planning | LSW#59

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 120 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
💼 Business Psychology
  1. Plans help us take action, even if they're not perfect. They give us the confidence to start exploring without needing everything to be figured out.
  2. Taking steps forward can bring clarity. Instead of waiting for a perfect plan, moving can help us learn and adjust along the way.
  3. Sometimes, acting on a not-so-accurate map can be better than seeking perfection. It allows us to move forward and learn from our experiences rather than staying stuck.

Why You Always Get Punished for Telling The Truth

OK Doomer • 124 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. People who tell the truth often get punished for it. This happens because society tends to ignore uncomfortable truths.
  2. Cognitive biases make it hard for people to accept negative feedback or truths, leading them to blame those who speak out.
  3. Pretending everything is fine, like the woman who followed Zig Ziglar's advice, doesn't solve the real issues and can create more problems.

Why Do We Laugh?

Pryor Questions • 522 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Laughter is a physiological response to humor involving various body responses like facial muscle movements and disrupted respiratory systems.
  2. Humans laugh to create social bonds, show friendliness, and signal group cohesion.
  3. There are multiple theories explaining why we find things funny, such as relief theory, superiority theory, and incongruity theory, influenced by factors like age and cultural differences.

Training armed teachers for real-world school shooting scenarios

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🚌 Education 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
  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.

Restaging

Covidian Æsthetics • 10 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Restaging is about rebuilding the framework of a situation after it has collapsed, focusing on creating movement and flexibility rather than fixing beliefs or truths.
  2. It uses specific techniques to introduce changes within a scenario, allowing for new possibilities without invalidating what's already present.
  3. The process involves both micro-level techniques that create immediate shifts and macro-level stages that reconstruct the entire structure, aiming to help individuals regain their sense of orientation.

Mistress of the Dream Realm

Soaring Twenties • 123 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Dreams can provide insights about our lives, but sometimes they don't make any sense. It's fun to explore and think about what they might mean.
  2. You can learn a lot from your dreams by writing them down or talking about them. Being aware of our dreams helps us understand our thoughts and feelings better.
  3. Using dream interpretation as a business might attract negative energy, so it's better to share insights for free. Trusting your dreams can lead to valuable realizations about yourself.

The Forgettability of Sameness

The Analog Family • 119 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  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.

Happy Yule

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. New Year celebrations bring people together, helping them connect and feel a sense of community and belonging.
  2. These festivities encourage us to think about the past year, reflect on what we've learned, and set goals for the future.
  3. Different cultures have unique traditions for the New Year, which help preserve their heritage and give people a sense of identity and continuity.

Musical Heresies (Part 1)

Secretum Secretorum • 454 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🎶 Music Psychology
  1. Some people believe music should only be performed live and regarded as sacred
  2. Recording music freezes a fleeting moment of consciousness, turning it into an object to be obsessed over
  3. There is a long-standing relationship between music, religion, and manipulation throughout history

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

10x your mind • 199 implied HN points • 09 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  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 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.

Links for 2024-01-17

Axis of Ordinary • 39 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. OpenAI's Sam Altman and Bill Gates discuss plans for GPT-5
  2. New battery material with less lithium for AI-powered search
  3. Advances in mind-decoding technologies and rumors about life on a planet from James Webb Space Telescope

Exploring Social Loafing in Human-Computer Teams

UX Psychology • 59 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🔬 Science Psychology
  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.