Psychology

Get to know your own mind—and improve your mental health—with the latest findings on human brains and behavior.

Latest in Psychology

Conceptual image of a stack of old analog TV sets with blank screens against a white wall

Why new tech only feels good for a short time Why new tech only feels good for a short time

close up of tinfoil hat on man against blue background

Poor sleep can make you more susceptible to conspiracy theories Poor sleep can make you more susceptible to conspiracy theories

Close up of black chess pieces on chessboard with king knocked over

AI tries to cheat at chess when it’s losing AI tries to cheat at chess when it’s losing

A lineup of the best sex toys on a white background

Gear

The best sex toys, tested and reviewed The best sex toys, tested and reviewed

the stone remains of a castle, revealing an archway, wall, and a tower

In a global crisis, working harder isn’t the best solution In a global crisis, working harder isn’t the best solution

By Laura Baisas

Close up of person using nasal spray

FDA approves first-of-its-kind nasal spray for severe depression FDA approves first-of-its-kind nasal spray for severe depression

Do animals experience mental illness? Do animals experience mental illness?

By Mack DeGeurin

Close up of hand holding pencil solving crossword puzzle

Why crossword puzzles get easier as you solve them, according to physics Why crossword puzzles get easier as you solve them, according to physics

Creepy robot toddler can mimic human expressions Creepy robot toddler can mimic human expressions

Past experiences strongly affect empathy in mice Past experiences strongly affect empathy in mice

Teen boy with headphones in bedroom listening to music on smartphone

AI chatbot suggested a teen kill his parents, lawsuit claims AI chatbot suggested a teen kill his parents, lawsuit claims

leaded gasoline reminder

Childhood leaded gasoline exposure damaged Americans’ mental health Childhood leaded gasoline exposure damaged Americans’ mental health

By Lauren Leffer

An illustration of the amygdala, shown in red. It is a part of the brain’s limbic system and plays a key role in processing emotions.

‘Was I awkward?’ What overthinking after a party has to do with your ‘lizard brain’ ‘Was I awkward?’ What overthinking after a party has to do with your ‘lizard brain’

By Laura Baisas

young woman in bed with alarm clock and eyes opened suffering insomnia and sleep disorder thinking about his problem on dark studio lighting in sleeping and nightmare issues

What causes you to jolt awake right before falling asleep? What causes you to jolt awake right before falling asleep?

Chimpanzee playing a number-based game on a touch screen

Like humans, chimps often perform tasks differently when crowds are watching Like humans, chimps often perform tasks differently when crowds are watching

brain scans of people watching clips from movies

MIT maps how the brain experiences movies MIT maps how the brain experiences movies

By Laura Baisas

The best light therapy lamps composited

Gear

The best light therapy lamps to brighten up your life The best light therapy lamps to brighten up your life

Boston Dynamic's Spot getting kicked in a routine test.

Researchers tortured robots to test the limits of human empathy Researchers tortured robots to test the limits of human empathy

By Mack DeGeurin

Janet Leigh screaming during iconic shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho.'

Why do jump scares terrify us so much? Blame evolution. Why do jump scares terrify us so much? Blame evolution.

a rider in a headless horseman costume rides by yellow fall leaves

The Headless Horseman shares her secrets The Headless Horseman shares her secrets

By Laura Baisas