The hottest Psychology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Fear makes men stupid and anti-feminist

Sex and the State • 19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues Feminism Society Relationships Psychology
  1. Fear is a major factor that drives sexism, more than hate. It affects how people see and react to each other.
  2. Some individuals may struggle with feelings of fear towards women, which can coexist with their beliefs in feminism.
  3. Understanding the role of fear in gender dynamics can help address and reduce sexist attitudes in society.

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

normality’s Substack • 17 HN points • 27 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology Self-Improvement Emotions
  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 Media Critique Social Commentary Pop culture Psychology Identity politics
  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.
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Uneasy Riders, Continued

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 20 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Psychedelics Spirituality Philosophy Psychology Meditation
  1. The psychedelic movement appears to be growing, with more interest and acceptance in society, but there's a concern that it might not be addressing deeper issues. It's not just about enjoying the experience or healing; it's also about how those experiences impact people's actions in the long run.
  2. Many people may face negative effects from psychedelics even if they are not obvious. The author suggests we need to be careful, as psychedelics can lead to risks that aren't always talked about, like dissociation or underlying trauma.
  3. The future of the psychedelic movement might benefit from focusing on spiritual and esoteric development. Instead of just improving individual mental health, there could be a greater goal of exploring deeper consciousness and our potential as humans.

Can People Change their Personalities?

Mind & Mythos • 339 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Personality Psychology Change Identity Development
  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.

Maybe You're Not Actually Trying to Solve Your Problems?

FutureIQ • 1 implied HN point • 30 May 25
📖 Philosophy Agency Advice Self-help Psychology Decision-making
  1. We often give better advice to others than we take for ourselves. When faced with our own problems, we might ignore good solutions we would recommend to a friend.
  2. People can solve issues at work but struggle with personal challenges. Sometimes, if we applied the same skills from one area of our life to another, we'd find better outcomes.
  3. Our mindset can get stuck in a low point, causing us to miss out on solutions. It's important to remember that our capacity for action can change over time, and we should revisit problems with a fresh perspective.

Getting Out of Your Own Way

Perspectives • 6 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth Coaching Mindset Self-help Psychology
  1. Your past experiences, especially from childhood, can shape how you see yourself and your abilities. Understanding this can help you unlock your true potential.
  2. Instead of giving direct advice, it's important to help people discover their own solutions. This can lead to powerful realizations about how to move forward.
  3. We often hold ourselves back by repeating negative thought patterns. Changing how we think can open up new possibilities and help us achieve success.

Linkpost for February

Thing of Things • 137 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🔬 Science Psychology Economics Politics Short Stories Fun
  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.

The Soul of the Writer

Secretum Secretorum • 808 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Artificial Intelligence Psychology
  1. GPT-4 and other large language models reflect human writing but may not capture the essence or intelligence accurately.
  2. Not all writers represent the noblest minds; some may be loudmouths, self-aggrandizers, or attention-seekers.
  3. Human intelligence encompasses more than just abstract thought; AI could represent a less evolutionarily-optimized part of our minds.

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

Unconfusion • 199 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Intellectualism Psychology Surveys Data Analysis
  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.

Group Narcissism

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 429 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Sociology Psychology Ethnicity Religion Ethics
  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.

Coffee makes men more sociable and women better looking

Klement on Investing • 4 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Behavior Psychology Research
  1. Caffeinated coffee helps men be more social and motivated. When they drink decaf, they tend to hang out less and could get into more fights.
  2. Women don't gain weight differently based on their coffee type, but decaf coffee affects their motivation. Drinking decaf could make them less inclined to take care of themselves.
  3. Research shows caffeine affects behavior and motivation. But the studies used mice, as ethical concerns would prevent testing humans in such a way.

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 Philosophy Psychology Biology
  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.

Stephanie Winn and Josh Slocum on death

Disaffected Newsletter • 439 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎙 Podcasts Interviews Themes Culture Society 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.

On [not] getting to Carnegie Hall

The Bell Ringer • 79 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🚌 Education Learning Practice Psychology Sports Music
  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.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #96

Creative Destruction • 34 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Sociology Philosophy Psychology Environment Marketing
  1. Accountability sinks make it hard to hold people responsible for their decisions. This can lead to a loss of trust in organizations and institutions.
  2. Kama muta is a feeling of being moved by love, which often happens at significant life events. This feeling can strengthen our relationships and motivate us to be kinder.
  3. Productive inefficiency means getting things done without feeling rushed. Slowing down can actually help improve our overall well-being and relationships.

Blasting off soon...

Brain Blast • 39 implied HN points • 30 May 24
🔬 Science Neuroscience Psychology
  1. Brain Blast is a newsletter that covers brain-related news, research papers, and deep dives into various brain and mind topics.
  2. The newsletter is authored by a veteran brain research academic.
  3. Subscribing to Brain Blast gives access to weekly updates on the latest in neuroscience and psychology.

Why People Are Irrational About Politics

Fake Noûs • 230 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Psychology Politics
  1. The post discusses why people are irrational about politics and presents an explanation for this behavior.
  2. The content is available only for paid subscribers, indicating a sense of exclusivity.
  3. The author references a publication in _Philosophy, Politics, and Economics_ as a basis for the post, showing an academic foundation.

Nootropic or Narcotic? The Dual Faces of Gas Station Heroin (Tianeptine)

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Psychology Pharmacology Research Mental health
  1. Tianeptine is sold as an antidepressant in many countries but is unregulated in the US, marketed as a nootropic, Kratom alternative, and opioid withdrawal remedy.
  2. Improper use of tianeptine can lead to addiction, withdrawals, and even fatalities, emphasizing the importance of education, moderation, and avoiding marketing gimmicks.
  3. Tianeptine's mechanism of action is complex and debated, with conflicting research on how it works in the brain, indicating potential cognitive benefits but also addiction risks.

In Defense of Repression II

Litverse • 279 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Psychology Existentialism Psychoanalysis Anthropology Self
  1. Repression could be a tool for building a new self by accepting and integrating past pain, according to Marcel Proust's Impressionist painter Elstir.
  2. Ernest Becker theorizes that repression is crucial not just for personal growth but also for maintaining societal agreement on fundamental truths, preventing a future with conflicting values.
  3. Projection, seen as a defense mechanism by Freud, is viewed optimistically by Becker, who believes it fulfills human narcissism and helps find purpose by prioritizing the outer world as part of the inner self.

i was half myself without you, now i feel so complete

SPARC '24 JC Blog • 2 HN points • 14 Sep 24
🚌 Education Self-Improvement Mentorship Learning Student experience Psychology
  1. TKS helped me find my drive and purpose, giving me the tools and encouragement to pursue my passions.
  2. Despite the positives, I struggled with pressure to conform to certain ideals, which sometimes felt overwhelming and isolating.
  3. It's important to trust your own feelings and values, and remember there are many paths to success that don't involve strict adherence to someone else's vision.

Do People Prefer Curved Lines?

UX Psychology • 218 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science Psychology Design Perception Cognition User Experience
  1. Research indicates that people generally prefer curved lines over straight or angular ones due to associations with grace and gentleness.
  2. Preference for curves is not just psychological, but has roots in our perception of safety and nurture, related to our evolutionary past.
  3. In design, understanding people's preference for curved lines can help create more visually appealing and effective products, but individual factors like personality and culture also play a role.

The Use of Scarcity Cues in E-Commerce: Impact on User Experience and Trust

UX Psychology • 218 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
💼 Business E-commerce User Experience Psychology Marketing Research
  1. Online retailers often use scarcity cues like countdown timers and limited quantity messages to create urgency, but research suggests they can harm user experience and trust.
  2. Psychological theories show that scarcity can make products seem more valuable, yet artificial scarcity cues in marketing can annoy users and erode trust.
  3. Recent research found that scarcity cues, especially time-based ones, can lead to negative emotions, frustration, and reduced user trust, highlighting the need for transparent and verifiable messaging in e-commerce.

Five ways to play the status game

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Social Dynamics Identity Psychology Human behavior Interpersonal Relationships
  1. Understanding status games is important because they affect our behavior and relationships. We compete for recognition, which can be linked to our basic survival needs.
  2. There are different types of status games we play, like dominance, virtue, and success games. Each type influences how we interact with others and see ourselves.
  3. To navigate status games better, we should be self-aware, diversify our sources of fulfillment, practice empathy, seek intrinsic value, and question cultural norms. This can lead to a more satisfying life.

Depression

Living Fossils • 27 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Psychology Depression Self-care Emotional Wellbeing
  1. Depression can be seen as a strategy for individuals to signal their need for help. When someone feels this way, it might mean they need more support from friends or family.
  2. The pain of depression might sometimes drive people to withdraw from social interactions, which can show others that they are in real distress.
  3. Though depression feels terrible and often comes after difficult life events, it can have a function in measuring how much support a person requires from their social network.

Perennial Problems, Projects & Philosophies - Part 3

Weekly Wisdom • 198 implied HN points • 18 May 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Psychology Human flourishing Meaning of life
  1. The evolution of psychology is deeply intertwined with philosophy, with early psychologists being philosophers themselves.
  2. Western existentialist ideas on existence's meaninglessness and Eastern concepts like shunyata converge, yet offer different conclusions.
  3. The field of psychology has transitioned from studying dysfunction to focusing on well-being and flourishing, emphasizing the importance of a meaningful and intentional life.

Of Fuckboys and Men-Children

Castalia • 299 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues Societal Trends Youth culture Masculinity Psychology
  1. Many young men struggle with growing up and often exhibit childish behavior, like pursuing unrealistic dreams instead of stable jobs. This immaturity can frustrate the people around them.
  2. Men in their 20s often feel a loss of status as they transition from high school or college to the workforce. This can lead to desperate actions, such as trying to date many women to regain a sense of worth.
  3. While their behavior may seem immature, these so-called 'men-children' often have big dreams. They may take risks, willing to fail to find their place, which is seen as a part of their journey into adulthood.

Jordan Peterson, Revisited: Is Peterson the Most Interesting Thinker of Our Time?

Mind & Mythos • 259 implied HN points • 30 May 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Psychology Narrative Religion Ideology
  1. Jordan Peterson's ideas have resonated with many young men during a time when traditional masculinity was criticized. His practical advice encourages personal growth in a relatable way.
  2. Peterson emphasizes the importance of understanding the world through both scientific facts and the stories we tell. These narratives can help us navigate life by showing us how to act and what is significant.
  3. He suggests that traditional beliefs and rituals have value because they offer guidance that empirical reasoning alone can't provide. Many past ideologies, despite their flaws, aimed to create a better society but often resulted in disaster.