A memory hack to help you face your fears
There’s a way to recall past encounters with your fears that could help you feel more confident facing them in future
by Christian Jarrett
Christian is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. He also holds a Masters in neuroscience and PhD in cognitive neuroscience awarded through two Medical Research Council scholarships. Christian was the founding editor of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest and an award-winning journalist on The Psychologist magazine. His books include The Rough Guide to Psychology, 30-Second Psychology and Great Myths of the Brain. His latest Be Who You Want: Unlocking the Science of Personality Change was awarded the annual book prize by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Christian has written for many international publications such as GQ, Wired, New York Magazine, BBC Future and The Guardian, and he’s answered readers’ questions on psychology and neuroscience for BBC Science Focus for nearly a decade. Christian will never forget holding a human brain in his hands as part of a neuroanatomy class, the grey mass so heavy as if filled still with memories and dreams.
Written by Christian Jarrett
Motivation is good, but discipline is better
The Ukrainian boxing champion Usyk’s recent claim that ‘discipline is better than motivation’ was psychologically astute
by Christian Jarrett
How slow breathing calms down your brain
Researchers studied the effect of slow breathing on people’s brain activity while they experienced anticipatory anxiety
by Christian Jarrett
Are you saying ‘thank you’ too effusively?
Research suggests that people who express their gratitude more effusively are judged as lower status and less influential
by Christian Jarrett
Being a dad has made my brain younger
As the father of twins, I could hardly feel more frazzled. But my brain age might paint a different, more youthful, picture
by Christian Jarrett
A way to enjoy more positive mental images
Psychologists have tested a way to seed ‘involuntary positive mental images’ in the brain. You can try it for yourself
by Christian Jarrett
Don’t fall victim to the Peter Principle
You mustn’t assume that the skills that served you well in the past will be enough for any new challenges that lie ahead
by Christian Jarrett
Are emotionally resilient people also skilled at soothing others?
Research on the social side of emotion management is showing what’s distinctive about it – and its benefits for all involved
by Christian Jarrett
Edited by Christian Jarrett
How to use chatbots to make you smarter, not dumber
Use AI thoughtlessly and it dulls your mind. But with a strategic approach and the right prompts, it can be a powerful tool
by Nick Kabrel
Guilty pleasures are more than just giving in to temptation
Psychologists are discovering what’s going on when you do something you enjoy, but also feel weird or embarrassed about
by LaCount ‘JJ’ Togans
How to overcome a fear of fear
When you become afraid of your own reaction to perceived threats, it creates a vicious cycle. Here’s how to break free
by Nick Wignall
The neural reward that makes avoiding your fears feel so good
We’re told that facing our fears can help us overcome them – but this misses the other intoxicating part of the equation
by Muhammad Badarnee & Mohammed R Milad
Is narcissism really on the rise among younger generations?
A fresh investigation of vast numbers of young people from around the world has thrown up some surprising results
by Jakob Pietschnig & Sandra Oberleiter
The trait that makes some people so frustrating – and alluring
Conscientiousness is constantly touted as a virtue, so what’s life like for people with the opposite trait – disinhibition?
by Janan Mostajabi
