The hottest Psychology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

The Psychopathic Perspective

Fake Noûs • 418 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Psychology
  1. Psychopaths lack empathy and see others as tools for their own gain. They cause harm without caring about the pain they inflict.
  2. Social predators are hard to change because they view people as non-player characters in a game. They don't form real connections and thus, therapy usually doesn't work on them.
  3. It’s important to create rules in society that prevent predatory behavior and to avoid interacting with known predators. Reporting their actions is often the best response.

Chaos vs. Poverty, Intelligence and Personality, Live Event with Dr. Drew

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 909 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Realistic baby dolls used in schools to prevent teen pregnancy actually led to more pregnancies among some students. This suggests that the program might not work as intended.
  2. Some studies show that liberal college students report worse mental health than their conservative peers. This raises questions about the impact of political beliefs on mental well-being.
  3. Cousin marriages are quite common in many regions like the Middle East and among their diaspora. In some areas, they make up a significant percentage of all marriages.

Lost in a Sea of Pixels: Men, Pornography, and the Illusion of Control

Julie Bindel's podcasts and writing • 727 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Pornography offers a quick escape from intense emotions and intimacy, providing an illusion of control for men.
  2. The feminist critique of pornography highlights its negative impacts on women in production and consumption.
  3. Habitual use of pornography can lead to a loss of control, creating a cycle that may require therapy and open communication to break.

"Unbundling" experiences

Civic Renaissance with Alexandra Hudson • 439 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Our experiences and those of others may not always represent the whole picture, so it's important to avoid generalizations.
  2. Unbundling experiences can help us avoid negative assumptions about the world and others based on limited encounters.
  3. Choosing stories of exoneration over condemnation can empower us to see the dignity in others despite their mistakes.

The curse of conscientiousness

Optima & Outliers • 219 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
💼 Business Psychology
  1. Being very organized and responsible can sometimes be a hindrance, especially if it makes you stick to a job that isn't right for you. It's important to know when to quit and move on.
  2. Young people should be open to exploring different jobs instead of sticking to one path just because it's familiar. Trying new roles can lead to greater happiness and success.
  3. It's better to think of your career like a scientist experiments: test a job for a while and see if it fits you. If not, don't feel bad about quitting and finding something that works better.
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The Stories We Tell: Myth, Memory, and the Self

Mind & Mythos • 159 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. The stories we tell about ourselves are important for understanding who we are. They help us make sense of our experiences and give our lives meaning.
  2. Everyone creates a personal narrative or myth that shapes their identity. This story involves past events, emotions, and lessons learned, influencing how we view ourselves and our future.
  3. Rewriting our personal story can improve our mental health. By changing how we interpret challenges and failures, we can craft a more positive narrative that enhances our sense of purpose.

What Makes a Mature Science

Asimov Press • 348 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. For a science to mature, it needs to explain its subject clearly using specific entities, properties, and rules. Just having a mechanism isn't enough.
  2. Fields like biology and psychology are still developing because they struggle to define their key entities and rules, making it difficult to fully understand their subjects.
  3. To progress, sciences must move beyond descriptions and start building models that predict outcomes, much like how chemistry evolved from alchemy to a mature science.

Disaffected tonight at 8

Disaffected Newsletter • 639 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Psychology
  1. The findings from George Floyd's autopsy suggest he wasn't killed by police, citing high fentanyl levels instead of suffocation.
  2. There's a troubling trend where young people feel emboldened to commit violent acts without fear of consequences, leading to tragic outcomes.
  3. Many people shared personal experiences of growing up with a parent who has Borderline Personality Disorder, highlighting the challenges it brings.

What is this Substack even about?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1338 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🎙 Podcasts Psychology
  1. The podcast, Disaffected, explores how extreme personalities, like narcissism, affect public conversations today. It's about understanding these big feelings and behaviors that often go unnoticed.
  2. The host has personal experience with these issues, having grown up in a tough home environment. This background helps shape the discussions in the podcast.
  3. The show aims to provide insights and support for listeners who relate to the topics of emotional instability and personal struggles. There's a mix of articles and videos to help people dive deeper into the discussions.

The Candace Owens Question

Tumbleweed Words • 10 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. She relies on shocking, cliffhanger-style claims and dramatic delivery to keep people hooked, but often provides few solid receipts.
  2. Her quick marriage into aristocratic circles and choice of whom to defend or attack point to selective loyalties and strategic ties to elite power.
  3. Her overall pattern looks like calculated fame-chasing and performance, focused on social climbing and monetized controversy rather than consistent, evidence-based argument.

The Toxic Pursuit of Greatness in Chess (w/ Brin-Jonathan Butler) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 70 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. For a small, obsessive group, chess can act like a narcotic that consumes lives, driving extreme devotion, mental breakdown, and the loss of broader education or skills.
  2. Elite chess culture prizes domination and status, encouraging sadistic, hypercompetitive behavior where winning isolates and often masks deep insecurity.
  3. The modern chess ecosystem has structural problems: only top players earn well, technology makes cheating easier, and persistent misogyny and hostile atmospheres keep many women and newcomers out.

Welcome to Disaffected

Disaffected Newsletter • 2997 implied HN points • 29 May 22
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. The author experienced a difficult childhood with a mother who had personality disorders, leading to a realization about the impact of such behavior on family dynamics.
  2. There is a connection between personal experiences of emotional manipulation and the larger cultural and political climate today, suggesting many leaders exhibit similar traits to those seen in dysfunctional families.
  3. Understanding these personality disorders can help us recognize and address the emotional instability present in society, which is crucial for making positive changes.

Pessimistic prospects for a democratic resurgence

Brain Pizza • 860 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Psychology
  1. Democracy is facing tough challenges, especially from technology and social media. These platforms can create confusion and division among people.
  2. There is a concern that neuroscience and psychology are being used against us in a way that harms democratic values. This means that our minds can be influenced to think in ways that aren't helpful.
  3. While some believe there is a chance for improvement in democracy, the outlook remains pretty negative right now. It's hard to see how we will overcome these obstacles.

My Best Friend at Harvard

Opaque Hourglass • 339 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Willie created 'The Egypt Test' to analyze personalities based on initial responses like 'Pyramids' or 'The Nile'.
  2. The test results in categories like those partial to artifice and geometry, or favoring nature and the organic.
  3. The narrator was unique as they couldn't choose between 'Pyramids' or 'The Nile', leading Willie to acknowledge their ability to see beyond dualities.

Psychology’s Greatest Misses (Part 1/3)

Living Fossils • 31 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. The replication crisis is mainly a failure of methods and weak evidence, not a need for new grand theories; psychology needs better procedures and rigor to make its findings reliable.
  2. Many popular psychology ideas are unsupported or oversimplified—common claims about reading instruction, power posing, stages of grief, stereotype threat, and transference often don’t hold up and can mislead practice.
  3. People’s responses depend more on the relationship and context than on fixed traits; concepts like attachment work better as changeable strategies that vary across situations.

The only outcome

Disaffected Newsletter • 1059 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. The current state of society in the West was bound to happen due to cultural paths taken over the last 70 years. We can't ignore that we are responsible for our situation today.
  2. There is a deep-rooted narcissism among people who lack understanding of true freedom and history, which has been shaped by a controlling government.
  3. For real change to occur, society might need to confront some painful truths and experiences, possibly through a crisis, so that people can take responsibility for their lives.

25 Useful Ideas for 2025

The Prism • 877 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🚌 Education Psychology
  1. Being too focused on what we hate in politics makes us unhappy. Instead, we should think about what we stand for and what we can support positively.
  2. Markets and services can start off great for users but may turn worse as they become more focused on profits over their customers. We should be aware of this shift in priorities.
  3. To truly learn something well, we should try to teach it. Teaching others helps deepen our understanding and makes information stick better.

The Captain Class

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1082 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Psychology
  1. Great sports teams have successful captains who share important traits. These traits include perseverance, pushing boundaries, and doing hard work for the team.
  2. Captains are key to strong teamwork because they communicate well and can handle tough conversations. They help keep the team focused and motivated.
  3. Organizations should recognize and support the behaviors that good captains display. This support helps teams improve and succeed together.

Free Press LIVE: My Mom Was Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Then She Got Better.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 839 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Psychology
  1. Misdiagnosis in healthcare can lead to unnecessary grief, as seen in one family's experience with Alzheimer's. It highlights how important it is for doctors to view patients as whole individuals rather than just a set of symptoms.
  2. Many people relate to the struggles of misdiagnosis and want to share their stories. This shows that there is a larger conversation around the issues in the medical system that need attention.
  3. Connecting with others who have faced similar health challenges can provide hope and community support. There is a need for open discussions about healthcare and the potential for better outcomes.

Pulling back the curtain to show the set

Disaffected Newsletter • 1278 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🎙 Podcasts Psychology
  1. The show is presented like an old-fashioned talk show, not just a casual podcast. The creator values a polished production and enjoys looking put together while performing.
  2. There's honesty behind the performance; the creator shares personal struggles and insecurities. They believe it's important to show that even those who entertain can have vulnerabilities.
  3. The aim is to connect with others who have faced similar challenges from childhood. The show encourages a sense of recognition and reminds viewers that it's okay to have flaws but still strive to entertain and engage.

Evil Eyes, Status Games, Substack Meetings

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1193 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Social status affects how we behave and interact with others. It influences everything from our emotions to our romantic pursuits.
  2. One-on-one meetings with readers are being offered, allowing for direct conversations and engagement.
  3. Recent findings show that marriage dynamics and education levels can significantly influence family structures and priorities.

The past just isn't what it used to be

¡Do Not Panic! • 589 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. People's memories can be unreliable, especially when influenced by external information
  2. False memories can be implanted and influence behavior based on suggestive questioning
  3. Media coverage and trauma can contribute to the formation of false collective memories that may impact decision-making

How do we heal?

Bits of Wonder • 589 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. Human suffering can be changed by addressing cultural circumstances and psychology.
  2. Therapy aims to understand and overcome toxic mental patterns for a happier and more resilient life.
  3. Memory reconsolidation is a potential breakthrough in therapy, offering enduring change in behavior.

Encore Anxiety

Working Theorys • 299 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Encore anxiety is the fear of letting down people who expect great work from you after you've impressed them before. It can be more stressful than simply worrying about not impressing anyone at all.
  2. Success can create pressure that makes it harder to create freely. When you have an audience, you start to worry more about their expectations than your own creative ideas.
  3. To combat encore anxiety, focus on making work that feels true to you, rather than trying to please others. When you prioritize your own creative honesty, you’ll find more joy in the work.

MAGA misogyny

Trickle-Down Wellness • 294 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Men's aggression towards women in male-dominated spaces reflects deeper issues
  2. Younger women leaning liberal, while younger men move right politically
  3. Men who exhibit certain red flags as partners are less likely to be appealing to women

Captain Obvious: a personal essay

Design Lobster • 579 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Psychology
  1. Obviousness in writing can be seen negatively for lacking depth but celebrated in design for clarity and ease of use.
  2. Good writing avoids clichés and offers fresh perspectives, while good design balances between obviousness and experience for effective outcomes.
  3. Finding the right level of obviousness in design is crucial based on the project's focus on creating an experience or an outcome.

Risers and Fallers

In My Tribe • 1032 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Psychology
  1. Some 20th-century thinkers, like John Kenneth Galbraith, have fallen in status, meaning fewer people today recognize their ideas or read their work.
  2. Others, like Rene Girard and John Maynard Keynes, have gained importance over time, with more people today acknowledging their contributions and theories.
  3. The relevance of intellectuals can vary by field; for example, figures in psychology like B.F. Skinner may be less noted now, while sociologists like Granovetter are gaining recognition.

Can you feel it?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1199 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Many people feel like something big is about to happen. It's a shared feeling among those who come from troubled family backgrounds.
  2. If you're feeling overwhelmed or crazy about society, you're not alone. A lot of others are feeling the same way.
  3. It's important to recognize that these feelings do not mean you're not sane. It's a normal response to the craziness happening around us.

the planning trap: when more means less

Brain Pizza • 331 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Psychology
  1. Sometimes, trying to plan too much can actually lead to fewer good outcomes. Less can be more when it comes to effective planning.
  2. Smart regulations can help improve housing systems that are not working well. Finding simple solutions might be the key to fixing these complex problems.
  3. Looking at local housing issues can reveal lessons that apply everywhere. Solving problems in one area can help others too.

Cyborg Baby

Default Wisdom • 706 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Adderall and heavy internet use can change how people think and feel. They can make emotions flat and cause mood swings.
  2. There's a shift in writing styles today compared to the past, with longer and more emotional pieces becoming popular. These essays often focus on being authentic rather than just sharing ideas.
  3. The idea of mixing human DNA with robots raises interesting questions about the future of humanity and technology. It's a thought that's worth exploring more deeply.

Open Thread 313

Astral Codex Ten • 2202 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. Genes matter 2x as much as the environment in schizophrenia, not 4x as previously thought
  2. A study on political reasoning errors failed to replicate, questioning a larger literature on the topic
  3. Humans merging with AI may not be unprecedented, as evidenced by a medieval Italian man merging with a knife

On Drugs: Our First Interview

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 362 implied HN points • 27 May 25
📚 Literature Psychology
  1. JSR's new book talks about the nature of reality and the impact of psychedelics on our perception. It suggests that everyone is 'on drugs' in some way every day through the chemicals our bodies produce.
  2. In a light-hearted interview, JSR discusses his own experience with various medications and how they influence his life. He makes a joke about wanting to avoid weight gain while managing his mental health.
  3. The conversation touches on the complexities of recreational drug use, leaving readers curious about JSR's opinion on psychedelics and encouraging them to subscribe for more detailed insights.

C-SPAN, Paranoia, Sleeping Babies

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 909 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Psychology
  1. You can watch my C-SPAN interview about various topics related to public affairs. It's interesting to see how different subjects are discussed in media.
  2. I have a new lecture series on the psychology of social status, exploring why people seek status and how it influences behavior. This could help you understand social dynamics better.
  3. I shared some links to articles that discuss responsibility in society, paranoia, and modern issues. These readings could offer a deeper understanding of our current world.

Francine

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 241 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
📚 Literature Psychology
  1. René Descartes had a daughter named Francine who died young, and her story reflects a deep love and complex emotions about loss.
  2. Descartes experimented with ideas about the soul and body, believing he could bring Francine back to life through a combination of philosophy and mystical practices.
  3. The narrative explores themes of love, grief, and the boundaries between life and death, showing how powerful connections can influence thoughts and actions.

The first mistake when you wake up to Cluster B

Disaffected Newsletter • 1119 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. It can be hard to recognize when someone has a Cluster B personality disorder. Often, the person themselves doesn't see anything wrong and believes others are the problem.
  2. When dealing with someone who has a Cluster B disorder, being honest about your feelings may backfire. They are unlikely to accept criticism and could react negatively.
  3. Setting firm boundaries is important when you're dealing with difficult relationships. Sometimes, taking strong action is necessary to protect your own well-being.

Why do I forget jobs I have completed?

Brain Pizza • 728 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. People often forget what they did at work, even if they were busy. This can make it hard to recall specific tasks later.
  2. Our brains sometimes have trouble accessing completed tasks from memory. It's like they get filed away and are hard to find when we need them.
  3. The Zeigarnik Effect explains that we tend to remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. This means we might focus more on what’s still left to do rather than what has already been accomplished.