Confirmation Bias: why some facts ring truer than others

Confirmation bias

In order to cope with the vast amount of information we encounter every day, our brains are constantly using ‘shortcuts’ to simply our actions and decisions. One of these tricks is to rely on information that strengthens our previously held beliefs. Unfortunately, this can lead to thinking errors as we overlook important, often pertinent evidence. This is known as … Read more

5 science-based benefits of reading fiction

Reading fiction

The tradition of story-telling and using fiction to explain human behavior is as old as human civilization itself. Over time, storybooks took the place of the village story-teller; and provided all the same benefits. Generations of children developed a sense of right and wrong through the tales and fables their parents helped them read. Adults used novels to entertain themselves and … Read more

You’re more of a conformist than you think

Asch Conformity experiment - why hipsters look alike

In the 1950’s Solomon Asch undertook a series of landmark experiments that revealed the extent to which conformity rules our lives The original experiment In the aftermath of World War II, a Polish social psychology researcher was trying to find the answer to a very simple question about human behavior –Would a person agree with their friends and colleagues, even if they knew that these … Read more

10 classic parenting fails (and how to avoid them)

The benefits of play time

There’s no universal instruction manual for parenting. Whilst there are thousands of books and websites to advise you the ‘right’ way to raise your child, every parenting situation is unique. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take stock of your own parenting approach. Some of the most common, seemingly harmless practices can encourage behavioural problems and even interfere with learning and development. 1. … Read more

18 things successful couples do effortlessly

18 relationship tips for 2016

Committing to a relationship is not for the faint-hearted. So how do those annoyingly perfect couples manage to make it work so well?. Thankfully, science is starting to reveal the habits and behaviours that encourage relationships to flourish. So to supercharge your relationship in 2016 here are 18 incredibly simple to implement relationship hacks you can put into practice NOW! … Read more

The psychology of online sharing

The science of online sharing

What prompts us to share on social media and why do we share the things we do? Science has started to figure this out. Why we share We all do it… A lot! Possibly because of it’s ease, sharing on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram has become a commonplace habit. One of the key factors for sharing something online … Read more

How to get more done by daydreaming

Mind wandering - day dreaming - benefits

Daydreaming, wool-gathering, zoning-out, everybody does it. But it’s a guilty pleasure, universally considered to be a waste of time, the realm of the slacker, an enemy of productivity. Recent research, however may change our perspectives. A wandering mind, it appears, is actually associated with widespread activation of the brain, allowing you to make creative insights and form new connections between disparate ideas … Read more

What science says about hooking up with your ex

Getting back with your ex

Hooking up with your ex, or relationship churning, is is on the rise. Psychologists say it’s a worrying trend. According to research, staying in touch with a romantic partner after a breakup can  disrupt emotional recovery and sometimes lead to even more conflict, including verbal and physical abuse. Breaking up in the digital age In the age of social media, splitting up has become … Read more

Money really can buy happiness – but only if you spend it right

Money-happiness-Bentley

They say it can’t buy you love, but can money buy you happiness? The money-happiness relationship is far from straightforward. In some cases, ie people living on very low incomes, researchers have found a very strong correlation between money and happiness. Other studies suggest that for wealthy people, money itself does not seem to be a source of happiness at all. … Read more

Facial feedback theory: how Botox makes you less empathetic

Our own facial expressions play an essential part in understanding other people’s emotions Human learn to show emotions through facial expressions very early in life. Babies learn how to express happiness and sadness by mimicking their caregivers’ expressions. Sharing smiles and eye contact forms a huge part of the bonding process between parent and child. … Read more

How Hollywood uses colour to manipulate our emotions

How Hollywood uses colour to manipulate emotions

Film-makers routinely use colour to exploit the emotions of their audiences If you like movies you may have noticed that certain film genres always seem to share the same shades of colour; warm reds for romances, de-saturated tones for apocalyptic dystopias, blue cold-tones for horror movies. The list goes on. This doesn’t happen by accident. Colour … Read more