The hottest Psychology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Predictions about the future of neurogrifters and neuro-nonsense

Brain Pizza • 728 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. Neuroscience is becoming popular, but this can lead to the rise of people trying to take advantage of it for their own gain. It's important to be wary of those exploiting this trend.
  2. Predictions are hard to make, especially about the future of neuro-related claims and theories. Many ideas about neuroscience may not hold up over time.
  3. The term 'neuro-' is becoming a buzzword, which can lead to confusion and misinformation. It's vital to approach neuro-based claims with a critical eye.

Manners by design: an essay

Design Lobster • 499 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🪑 Design Psychology
  1. Design choices can consciously influence behavior in various settings.
  2. Software design, especially, aims to shape user behavior through psychological insights.
  3. Designers have a responsibility to consider the impact of their design choices on users' behavior and well-being.

A war on Stuff

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 319 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Stuff can pile up because we think it might be useful later, but most of it just makes life messy and stressful. It's easy to lose track of things when we have too much stored away.
  2. Things are cheap and easy to buy nowadays, leading to lots of excess stuff that often isn’t worth keeping. This leads to clutter that can cause problems if it gets out of hand.
  3. To manage stuff better, we need to be proactive about it. This means designing our spaces and habits to prevent clutter from building up in the first place.
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Have liberals won the culture war?

ideassleepfuriously • 255 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Men and women report lower levels of sociosexual desire in the presence of an attractive person.
  2. Winning the lottery does not decrease the likelihood of committing crime among Swedes.
  3. Support for Spearman's hypothesis, indicating a black-white IQ gap in cognitive ability testing.

From Intentions to Actions: Achieving Goals with Implementation Intentions

UX Psychology • 297 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. Form implementation intentions to bridge the gap between intentions and actions by creating specific if-then plans linking cues to goal-directed behaviors.
  2. Research shows that forming if-then plans can significantly increase the likelihood of achieving goals in various areas such as health, consumer choices, and personal goals.
  3. To apply implementation intentions, choose specific goals, identify situational cues, specify goal-directed responses, form if-then plan statements, and commit to following through.

Business Process Audits

In My Tribe • 258 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
💼 Business Psychology
  1. Sports gambling can be seen as a predatory business model that targets vulnerable individuals. Companies often exploit psychological weaknesses to profit, impacting a small percentage of harmful cases.
  2. Business model audits could help identify harmful practices in industries like gambling and social media. These audits would look for ways companies might be profiting from customers who are easy to exploit.
  3. Regulation needs to focus on clear definitions of harmful business practices. Simple rules might not work, but audits can reveal deeper issues where companies thrive on the disadvantages faced by some consumers.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Cognitive Bias or Statistical Artefact?

UX Psychology • 218 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. The Dunning-Kruger effect explains how people with lower ability often overestimate their competence, while highly skilled individuals tend to underestimate their capabilities.
  2. The disconnect between competence and metacompetence judgments is seen not only in psychology but also in areas like aviation, memory, and medical skills. It can impact product development and UX teams by highlighting the challenge of relying on feedback from less competent individuals.
  3. Debate continues on whether the Dunning-Kruger effect is purely a statistical artefact or a psychological phenomenon. Regardless, it prompts the need for critical self-awareness, peer review, and continuous growth to mitigate its impact in fields like UX.

Jerky Men and Crazy Women

Fake Noûs • 631 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. There are common stereotypes where men think women are crazy and women think men are jerks. These ideas come from perceptions that may or may not be realistic.
  2. Men might be seen as jerks because self-centered behavior helped them succeed in the past. This might be related to competition among men for reproductive opportunities.
  3. Women can be seen as crazy if they show strong emotions, especially negative ones. This is often linked to how women have been traditionally more vulnerable in relationships.

Base case for a democratic resurgence: We're (not entirely) doomed

Brain Pizza • 595 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Psychology
  1. Some countries are improving in education and civic knowledge, but it’s not equal for everyone. Wealthier and urban areas are doing better, while rural and older groups are falling behind.
  2. There is a growing gap in how well people understand important topics, which can affect society. This divide is especially seen between different age groups and urban versus rural populations.
  3. Even though there are challenges, there is still hope for democracy to improve. People are looking at different ways to make government better and more inclusive.

Why Are Some Of Our Most Successful Leaders Mentally Ill?

The Ruffian • 510 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Psychology
  1. Some successful leaders, like Javier Milei and Elon Musk, show traits that could be seen as mentally ill or eccentric. This often helps them think outside the box and act decisively, even in the face of criticism.
  2. Having a lack of empathy can sometimes be a strength in leadership. When leaders don't try to please everyone, they can take bold actions that others may avoid.
  3. While unconventional behavior can lead to positive change, not all 'crazy' actions are beneficial. Sometimes it's just madness without any deeper logic.

Succession, Narcissists and Vampires

rebelwisdom • 569 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Delving into the tension between human emotion and game theory through 'Succession'.
  2. Exploring the impact of narcissism and sociopathy on building sustainable systems.
  3. Comparing narcissists to vampires as they both thrive on others' energy and can be charming but manipulative.

Happiness Ruined Everything

OK Doomer • 225 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Chasing happiness too hard can actually make you more miserable. It's important to remember that you can’t be happy for someone else; they have to find their own happiness.
  2. Society has created many 'happiness scripts' that tell us what steps we need to follow to be happy, but these often lead to disappointment instead of true joy.
  3. Real happiness comes from having basic needs met, like food and purpose, rather than the endless pursuit of material things or following societal pressure.

Paul Stamets on Fungi, Heterodoxy and Systems

rebelwisdom • 687 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems, being essential for survival and offering various benefits to humans.
  2. Mycelium networks demonstrate resilience and adaptability, showing how diversity and innovation can emerge from minorities and unconventional thinking.
  3. Psilocybin mushrooms provide not just physical effects, but also potential societal and spiritual benefits, connecting different cultures and promoting collaboration over conflict.

An ayahuasca fan’s take on the Aaron Rodgers documentary

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 570 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Aaron Rodgers talks about perfectionism in the documentary, saying it often makes us feel broken inside. He believes we can learn to be more emotional and vulnerable, especially as men.
  2. The idea of 'ego death' is discussed, but it seems Rodgers may misunderstand it as a fixed goal. True ego death is more like an ongoing journey rather than something you can achieve completely.
  3. The documentary feels more like a personal promotion for Rodgers than a deep exploration of his life. It misses key questions about his past decisions and relationships.

Rational beliefs

VS Blog • 99 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology
  1. Believing in rational beliefs unlocks immense energy and motivation, unlike irrational beliefs.
  2. To hold rational beliefs, it's key to ground them in what we know to be true and frame them as possibilities rather than certainties.
  3. Maintaining a positive state of mind is beneficial for leveraging beliefs, alongside reframing and reducing them.

Psychology Links, 2/5/2025

In My Tribe • 486 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. Humans tend to overreact to potential dangers. It's safer for our brains to think a harmless stick is a snake than to miss a real snake and get hurt.
  2. We often make decisions using shortcuts instead of thinking things through fully. This can lead to big mistakes because our brain swaps complicated questions for simpler ones quickly and without us noticing.
  3. Gossip plays a big role in how we connect with others. It helps us understand people's actions and build trust, showing how important social relationships are in our lives.

Interracial Dating Paper FAQ

sebjenseb • 196 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. Assortative mating occurs between races, with individuals who date outside their race being more similar to each other in terms of intelligence, height, and risk-taking behaviors.
  2. Current literature suggests that interracial relationships may have a higher likelihood of ending or experiencing domestic violence issues, and mixed-race children might be more prone to mental/behavioral problems, possibly due to self-selection rather than social factors.
  3. Attractiveness was a weak predictor of interracial dating across all races, indicating that mate value or race exchanges based on mate value were not significant factors in interracial dating.

TBM 329: Deep vs. Broad Context Traps

The Beautiful Mess • 608 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
💼 Business Psychology
  1. Having deep knowledge in one area can make people think their ideas will work everywhere. But different situations need different approaches.
  2. People with broad, but shallow knowledge might see patterns everywhere but miss the unique details that influence outcomes.
  3. It's good to mix deep and broad experiences. Reflecting on your past can help you understand where your beliefs come from and how they fit into different contexts.

The Stars in Our Phones

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 466 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Astrology is becoming popular again, especially among younger people who use apps for horoscopes. They find it interesting and fun, and it gives them a sense of connection in today's tech-driven world.
  2. Historically, many famous leaders, like Ronald Reagan, have turned to astrology for guidance. This shows that astrology has always held a place in society, despite its ups and downs in popularity.
  3. The market for astrology-related products is growing rapidly. It's expected to double by 2031, indicating a significant rise in interest and belief in astrology as a tool for understanding life.

How Empathy Makes Us Cruel and Irrational

The Prism • 613 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Empathy can sometimes lead people to support those who have committed serious crimes, like murder, by seeing them as victims rather than acknowledging their actions. This often happens because people connect emotionally and ignore the facts.
  2. Women may be more affected by stories that evoke empathy, which can lead to biased views in trials and public discussions about justice, especially in cases of alleged abuse.
  3. Believing that empathy always leads to compassion can be misleading; it might actually cause unfairness and cruelty toward others, as people might overlook wrongdoing because they only focus on the suffering of one side.

Moving Beyond Doomism: Data-Driven Strategies for Effective Climate Content

This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) • 393 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Psychology
  1. Data-driven decisions are crucial in climate content to engage mainstream audiences effectively.
  2. Promoting self-interest in climate content yields more results than focusing on planetary benefits.
  3. Starting with simple, relatable content and gradually guiding individuals towards impactful actions can drive engagement and awareness.

Vitamin B for Engineering Teams: Psychological Safety

The Healthy Engineering Leader • 59 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
💼 Business Psychology
  1. Psychological safety in teams is really important. It helps everyone feel safe to share ideas, make mistakes, and ask questions without fear.
  2. There are four stages of psychological safety: inclusion safety, learner safety, contributor safety, and challenger safety. Each stage builds on the previous one to help teams grow and work better together.
  3. Just like vitamins are essential for our health, psychological safety is essential for a healthy and effective team. When teams feel safe, they can innovate and succeed.

Optimistic prospects for a democratic resurgence

Brain Pizza • 529 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Psychology
  1. Technology and neuroscience can help make political information easier to understand. This means more people can join in discussions about democracy without feeling overwhelmed.
  2. Better education focused on critical thinking will help people resist misinformation. This way, citizens will make smarter choices and be more engaged in their communities.
  3. Social media platforms are likely to change for the better, promoting respectful discussions and fact-checking. This shift can help reduce anger and division online.

A Glimpse Inside the Vanity Project

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🚌 Education Psychology
  1. The Vanity Project aims to create an interactive seminar that teaches students about human interdependence. The project is still in progress and needs dialogue improvements.
  2. The course outline includes multiple chapters and concepts related to psychology, social order, and government. Each chapter breaks down complex ideas into manageable parts.
  3. The project requires collaboration and possibly funding for future developments. There's a bigger plan to create seminars for professors based on their courses.

Using Psychology to Improve User Onboarding

UX Psychology • 377 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Psychology
  1. Leverage psychology in user onboarding to create informative, enjoyable, and memorable experiences.
  2. Utilize the Zeigarnik effect by using progress meters, reminders, and allowing partial profile completion to keep users engaged.
  3. Decrease complexity with Hicks' law by reducing choices, highlighting easy options, and using progressive onboarding to improve decision-making and enhance user experience.

Only the Thumotic Will Survive

Less Foolish • 373 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Psychology
  1. Thumos is essential for achieving harmony within ourselves and in the world.
  2. Anger is necessary for honor and shame to exist in society without demonizing it.
  3. To thrive and survive challenges, we must embrace thumotic passion and not fear appearing unreasonable.

Links for January

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 515 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Jimmy Carter once told a funny story about a rabbit that scared him while fishing, and it became a big deal in the news, even though he only shared it privately.
  2. There's interesting talk about how we classify mental disorders nowadays and if labels like 'ADHD' will still be relevant in the future.
  3. Recent studies show that drinking alcohol can lead to a higher risk of cancer, and it's great when reports present this information clearly and let people draw their own conclusions.

Stuff I found interesting in December

Samstack • 1537 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. Be cautious of assuming correlation implies causation, as the sign can be opposite of the true effect
  2. Income inequality in America may not have risen much since the 1960s, contrary to popular belief
  3. Anti-immigration voters often consider the issue more important than pro-immigration voters, impacting public perception

The Unreasonable Ineffectiveness of Effective Altruism in thinking about AI

Ulysses • 179 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Psychology
  1. Knowledge systems using symbolic logic in natural language are heuristic and capture reality imperfectly.
  2. Validity of heuristics depends on the similarity between the original context and current application.
  3. Rigid deontological symbolic morality may fail in reasoning about new events like AI, leading to ineffective discussions and decision-making.

The Wit's Guide to Indecision

Get Wit Quick • 353 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology
  1. Indecisiveness is not always a bad trait, especially in complex situations.
  2. Having confidence, even if wrong, is often preferred over indecision.
  3. Having too many choices can lead to less satisfaction; sometimes it's better to make a quick decision and move on.

How To 'See' The World Like Daredevil

Everything Is Amazing • 610 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🔬 Science Psychology
  1. Some recent science suggests that it's possible for people to see the world in a unique way, similar to characters like Daredevil. It hints at untapped human abilities that we might not even know we have.
  2. There is a fascinating tree in Utah called Pando, which is actually one single tree made up of many clones. It's estimated to be between 16,000 and 80,000 years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
  3. It's important to focus on positive stories and support the art and media that inspire us. Finding and sharing things we love can help create a better world.