Have you ever wondered why political debates can get so heated? Or why it seems like people are becoming more divided in their views? As political discussions intensify globally, understanding the psychological forces at play has become increasingly crucial. Welcome to the fascinating world of political psychology, where we explore how our minds shape our…
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A nerve-wracking day is approaching, and since Halloween has already passed, you know it must be that other day. Thankfully, presidential Election Day only happens once every four years, because it has Americans seriously stressed. According to an American Psychiatric Association poll, 73% of U.S. adults are anxious about the 2024 election. Let’s examine a…
Halloween is the perfect excuse to grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and binge some scary movies. You know, the one with the hockey-mask wearing slasher, the chainsaw-wielding hillbilly, or the space alien with acid for blood. Maybe keeping the lights on isn’t such a bad idea after all. There’s an undeniable thrill to…
Video games affect the brain by influencing attention, learning, memory, reward processing, and behavior. Research shows that gaming can enhance certain cognitive skills, including attention and visuospatial ability. At the same time, it can activate the brain’s reward system in ways that may increase the risk of addiction. We’re not here to vilify video games….
Have you ever wondered how a particular TikTok trend goes viral so quickly? How about why we never take the blame when something goes wrong, but we’re the first to take credit after a personal victory? Cue the social biases, a subset of cognitive bias that shapes how we view—well, everything. From relationships and workplace…
Every day, your brain processes an enormous amount of information. To keep up, it relies on mental shortcuts called cognitive biases to make decisions more efficiently. While these shortcuts can be helpful, they don’t always lead to the best outcomes. One category, decision-making biases, affects how we choose between options, especially in uncertain or high-pressure situations. Here’s a closer look at what…
Psychology permeates every human endeavor, and its rich field of study boasts many specialties that address psychological matters from varied perspectives. The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes no fewer than 15 subfields, ranging from the individual to the organizational. The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program—ranked among U.S. News…
Smartphone addiction has such a hold on our society that—hey! We see you eyeing that back button. Your attention span may be as short as a golden retriever’s, but you’ll want to stick around, because today we explore the psychology of smartphone addiction. We’ll also provide some tips and resources to help you break away…
Whether you enjoy football, basketball, or another sport entirely, you know one thing to be true—a person’s allegiance to their favorite sports team runs deep. Whether you’re an unwavering Houston Texans supporter or your devotion lies with the red, gold, and white of the Kansas City Chiefs, most fans stand by their team regardless of…
Did you know you experience cognitive bias daily? For example, what’s your favorite color? Let’s pretend it’s purple. Without even hesitating, you tell me as much. It’s been purple for as long as you can remember (even if you don’t recall exactly why). That’s an example of cognitive bias, a pattern of thinking that occurs…
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