Gauri Sarda-Joshi 
Dr. Philip Zimbardo is one of the most notorious names in psychology. He is best known for his 2-week experiment in 1971 on prison life: an experiment that had to be cut short when normal, everyday college students acting as guards meted out inhuman treatment to other college students acting as prisoners. Although Dr. Zimbardo spent most of his …
Read morePhilip Zimbardo: Beyond the Stanford Prison Experiment
Retailers love our impulsive shopping habits, but these types of purchases are often a result of our psychological weakness. Impulse shopping, we all do it. For some, our weakness strikes at the end of a crazy day. For others it’s the strategically placed treats straddling the checkout counters. Impulse buying happens when we want to pamper ourselves, or discover a great deal, discount or buying …
The Impostor Syndrome convinces us that we’re not worthy of our own successes. Find out how to defeat your inner impostor. Do you worry that people will find out that you aren’t nearly as competent as they think you are? Do you attribute your success to luck and timing; but your failure to your inherent inability / incompetence? …
Read moreThe Imposter Syndrome: Do you feel your life is a fraud?
Understanding why we fall prey to FOMO can help turn you fear and anxiety into a positive force for good Why it’s so hard to put the phone down Think of the last time you were having dinner with friends or family. It’s likely that sometime during the evening, one or more people at the table picked up their phones and …
Read moreFeel like you’re missing out? Here’s how to make FOMO your friend
Chatting to complete strangers might seem like a social taboo, but it can bring a surprising range of positive benefits More people live in urban settings than ever before. 54% of the world’s population now live in cities, surburbs and towns, and that number is expected to continue rising. The global population shift from the rural …
What makes couples overshare on Facebook and social media? Is it a sign of insecurity, or true love? Couples who gush about their relationship over social media are often treated with a certain amount of envy-tainted-scorn. Others simultaneously want to live such lives; and want the public displays of affection to stop. The good news is, they really are likely …
Does music really boost your productivity at work or is it actually a distraction? Managers are often divided about whether employees should be allowed to listen to music as they work. While some offices allow (and some even promote) using music to focus on one’s tasks; others frown upon the activity as a time-waster. Is there a …
What can modern scientific research tell us about the mysterious power of the gaze? The eyes are called the windows to the soul. They have fascinated thinkers and creators throughout human history. The human eye has been a symbol for gods, for truth and wisdom, and even for power. Poets have waxed eloquent about the effects of looking into a lover’s …
Read moreThe scientific evidence behind the power of the gaze
Clowns are supposed to be funny, entertaining, and lovable. Unfortunately, adults and children alike seem to frequently dislike, if not fear clowns. The phenomenon is so widespread it even has a name. Around 12% of Americans suffer from coulrophobia – a debilitating phobia that makes it impossible for the sufferer to interact with clowns or to control their …
Read moreClowns make us laugh. So why do we find them so scary?
Accepting a free sample triggers deep psychological responses that make us more susceptible to spending money Think back to your last visit to a supermarket or a mall. Most likely, you passed a stall offering freebies of some product. Free samples are everywhere, and they can add a little excitement to your day. Smaller stores …
Our brains love junk food. So what can you do to avoid those irresistible cravings? Nobody is immune to the lure of junk food. Perhaps you’re in a hurry; or too lazy to cook; or maybe you were seduced by the wafting aroma of a nearby grill house. It’s no surprise. Junk food is designed to be tasty, comforting and convenient. It can give us an instant …
Researchers have identified a series of psychological changes that occur when we wear certain clothes We all take a little extra effort to look nice for special occasions. But for the most, people remain conflicted between wanting to dress up and feeling guilty about taking the time to focus on clothes. Science now suggests that …