Communication and language

A young person lying on a bed in a cluttered room with a suitcase, laundry basket, chest of drawers and desk, illuminated by window.

For young people, AI is now a second brain – should we worry?

As a resident tutor, I’ve seen how students are using AI as more than a tool. It’s a psychological shift we’ll soon all make

by Rhea Tibrewala

A photo showing a person holding a bouquet of mixed flowers wrapped in brown paper, viewed from above and behind.

The words that make an apology convincing

Research on the psychology of apologising finds that certain word choices are more convincing because of their mental cost

by Alice Gregory

A person in the air, mid-flip, on a grassy hill with distant hills in the background.

How to check if an argument is valid

In logic, validity is prime. If you want to make valid arguments, or sniff out invalid ones, here’s what you need to do

by Robert Trueman

Collage of animal photos with progressively simplified line drawings of a flamingo, giraffe and cat.

From cave art to subatomic sketches – how drawing has accelerated human progress

Video by MIT Quest for Intelligence

People sitting by a small stream in a wooded area during daytime, with sunlight filtering through bare trees.

Whispers in the wind

How I learned to hear the voice of my ancestors and speak Lenape, a language silenced for generations

Krista Nelson, as told to Dawn Fallik

A woman with a headset giving a presentation. She gestures with her hand. The background is wood paneling.

Why the mental health awareness movement needs more precision and fewer vibes

Video by the Royal Institution

A cyclist on a yellow bike passing a closed fast food shop with a yellow and maroon facade and a one-way sign.

A detour home, through Portuguese

Losing my mother tongue was painful and humiliating. Could learning a new language help me heal?

by Frances Nguyen

A group of office workers turned to face a colleague, clapping and smiling, in a modern meeting room setting.

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

People in a small, well-lit Japanese restaurant or bar, with a menu on the wall and beverages on the counter.

A little Japanese trick for saying ‘no’

If an outright refusal feels rude but you don’t want to have to explain, here’s how to say ‘no’ the Japanese way

by Richard Fisher

A man with crossed arms and a serious expression wearing an apron stands in the doorway of a restaurant with checkered curtains and menu on display.

What to do when someone goes on the defensive

Our natural impulses often make matters worse. Here’s an approach that works, grounded in conflict resolution and psychology

by Adar Cohen & Nick Wignall

Two people at a cafe table, one holding a cigarette. Blurred foreground and background create a candid atmosphere.

When talking brings you relief, brain syncing may be at work

Something curious happens in two people’s brains during supportive interactions. It could help explain their emotional power

by Yarden Avnor & Simone Shamay-Tsoory

Photo of a waiting room with focus on a black hat. A woman reads papers and another looks at her phone in the background.

How to chat with almost anyone

It can be awkward at first, but people are more open to conversation than you think – and it could lead to deeper connection

by Michael Yeomans

Black and white photo of a man and woman sitting under an umbrella; the woman leans on the man’s shoulder.

True contact is found in silence

For Emil Cioran, ‘true contact’ with another is the deep intimacy that emerges through mute togetherness

by Sam Dresser

Four people enjoying churros with coffee at an outdoor cafe table, engaging in conversation and laughter.

Are people less talkative these days?

A study explores how many words people use a day, whether women really speak more than men, and whether we’re talking less

by Matt Huston

Black and white photo of an older man who is Christopher Walken in a suit gesturing while speaking into a microphone.

The voices that stick in our minds

Are the most memorable voices just the ones we hear frequently? Or is there some other quality they have?

by Matt Huston

Image showing a black high heel, a red and blue ball and a grey ankle boot on a light blue background.

Small talk is an art, not a triviality. Here’s how you can master it

Video by the Harvard Business Review