It’s food for thought. Next time you look at a restaurant menu, you may notice several traits that make you more willing to spend extra money. In a phenomenon that Delish calls “menu psychology,” eateries entice hungry customers into spending more on a meal through key traits. “For most restaurants, the goal is to drive … Read more
Was the moon landing fake — or are you just really tired? Not getting enough sleep on a consistent basis has been linked to a higher likelihood of believing conspiracy theories in a new study by the University of Nottingham. The researchers found that people who’d suffered from insomnia or poor sleep quality over the … Read more
The holidays are just about over — the decorations are down, the leftovers are eaten, the guests are gone, but Old Man Winter is still here. The persistent cold and darkness can make it difficult to get out of bed, concentrate or socialize. These feelings could be characterized as the “winter blues” or a more … Read more
The qualities that make financially successful adults begin in childhood, according to the latest findings from a study that began 52 years ago. Psychologists in New Zealand have tracked 1,000 kids from the city of Dunedin since 1972 to discover the childhood factors with the greatest impact on how they develop into adults. The best … Read more
Does your family belong on the naughty list? A forensic psychologist has passed along some sage advice on how to deal with abrasive relatives who exhibit narcissistic tendencies. Ava Green, a lecturer at the University of London, explains how to manage one’s emotions around a self-centered family that can push one’s holiday buttons to the … Read more
Get ready for an attitude adjustment. Being a “negative person” or a “positive person” isn’t set in stone — and using a really simple trick that anyone can learn could change your mood, your perspective and even your whole life, according to a brain training specialist. It was certainly a game-changer for Emilie Leyes, who … Read more
We listen and let the psychologist judge. One of TikTok’s current viral trends has duos confessing secrets to one another on camera. The videos begin with both people saying, “We listen and we don’t judge,” in unison before divulging previously hush-hush insights they’ve hidden from the other person. Co-workers and family members have taken on … Read more
In modern dating, the “ick” is primarily experienced by women and feared by men. The term has gone viral on social media in recent years. It describes a feeling of disgust toward the actions, appearances, and other characteristics of someone’s partner. Some examples of popular icks include people chewing with their mouths open, wearing flip-flops, or tripping over … Read more
Heed this warning before taking your lover’s breath away. The latest research shows that sexual choking, also known as erotic asphyxiation, is on the rise among teens and young adults — and that has experts concerned for the safety of sexually inexperienced Gen Zs. “There is no zero-risk way of engaging in choking,” warned Dr. Debby … Read more
Named for the god of war, Mars is our planet of will, energy, sexuality, and action, getting it done and getting it on, if you will. This week, that infernal majesty is going retrograde in the sign of Leo. Read on to learn more about what this slowdown showdown means for you. Mars retrograde 2024 … Read more
This beast of a bedroom scam is rearing its ugly head — and there’s no protection in sight. “Stealthing,” the devious act of nonconsensual condom removal during intercourse, is resurfacing as a heinous sex trend that psychologists are now linking to “psychopathy and narcissism.” “There [are] associations between all Dark Triad traits and all types of condom … Read more
Not all psychopaths are created equal. In America, about 1.2% of adult men and 0.3% to 0.7% of adult women are considered to have clinically significant levels of psychopathic traits, according to the American Psychological Association. But how do you know if a psychopath is in your life — particularly in the workplace? Some warning … Read more
Now it’s dark. Welcome to November, that dreaded time of year when the clocks tip back, the sun starts setting by the time you’ve finished your lunch, and you start telling everyone who will listen that your “seasonal affective disorder is kicking in.” Not so fast, says one mental health expert — who reminds those of … Read more
LOL — BRB! (Or will you?) Sending abbreviations in text messages is second nature to many people, with the abbreviations for “laugh out loud” or “be right back” among the many that are exchanged. But those instinctive responses can make you seem insincere, a new study found. New research found that using text abbreviations can … Read more
Talk about brain drain. A new study finds that making several difficult decisions at once can wear down the brain areas responsible for self-control, essentially putting them “to sleep” and leading to aggressive or impulsive behavior. The research explores the controversial theory of “ego depletion” — the idea that we have limited mental energy for … Read more
The weird world of sex can be bewildering, even for an expert. Dr. Mark Griffiths is a social psychologist who studies paraphilia, a sexual trait known colloquially as a fetish. In a new article for the Conversation, Griffiths, a professor of behavioral addiction at Nottingham Trent University, revealed the five most shocking sexual obsessions he’s … Read more
Perhaps this is why you have a “sweet” demeanor. Scientists have found that people with a sweet tooth generally boast a more amiable disposition, per a study published in the Journal of Research In Personality. “Research has shown that a preference for sweet foods is associated with agreeableness,” reads the study, which was compiled by … Read more
She’s using her bad qualities for good. Model and former Miss World Australia contestant Kanika Batra-Matheson, 28, shocked her followers on social media when she revealed her sociopathic personality type. According to Psychology Today, a sociopath is defined by unethical behavior that consistently demonstrates their lack of conscience, victimizing others through regular exploitation, manipulation and … Read more
With great intellect comes great responsibility. It takes a fool to fall in love, but an intelligent partner to make it last according to new research. General intelligence is a strong indicator of an individual’s odds at success in life, as those with the right stuff are more to experience the sort of academic and … Read more
Bald-faced liars are more likely to be adulterers as well. Are you a bald man with a big nose in your 40s? You’re more likely to cheat on your partner, according to an AI-generated profile of what a typical philanderer looks like. “We’ve shed light on the physical traits associated with those prone to cheating,” … Read more