Is It Normal for Children to Have Imaginary Friends?
Psychologists have never quite been sure what to make of children with imaginary friends. On one hand, interacting with people who don’t exist has a tendency to set off...
How Low Self-Esteem Plays Out in Social Interactions
We all know that given the choice, we’d all rather have high self-esteem than low self-esteem. But why do we take it for granted that low self-esteem is so...
Is Distraction a Healthy Coping Strategy?
It’s tempting to deal with problems by not thinking about them and instead distracting yourself with other activities. But is this a healthy way of coping? That’s not a...
Finding Meaning Can Protect Against Stress
There’s plenty not to like about stress. The worrying. The tension. The not being able to relax and enjoy yourself. But one of the worst parts of stress might...
5 Psychological Tricks for Influencing People
Psychology research has many applications. Treating mental illness. Improving your quality of life. Getting people to do what you want. One area of study that looks at the latter...
The Dangers of Comparing Yourself to Others on Social Media
Social media makes a lot of things easier. Keeping up with old friends. Sharing your vacation pictures. Comparing yourself to other people. It’s that last one that could be...
Cooking and Mental Health
Cooking at home is the best of both worlds, according to new research: it’s healthier and cheaper than eating out! The downside, of course, is that you have to...
Is “Grima” Its Own Emotion?
You know that special feeling you get when you hear the sound of nails on a chalkboard? In Spanish, it’s called grima. In English, well, we don’t have a...
Stigma and Social Support Matter in Substance Abuse
When people are in treatment for substance abuse, the stigma they encounter and the social support they receive may have wide-ranging effects on their mental health. According to a...
Most People Would Rather Not Know the Future
Ignorance gets a bad rap, but a new study has found that most of us are firmly in the “ignorance is bliss” camp when it comes to wanting to...
