Psychology
The Psychology of Motivation: What Actually Drives Human Behavior
Motivation is among the most studied topics in psychology. Research on what drives sustained effort and engagement has significant practical implications.
Writing
Psychology
Thinking out loud about psychology, education, policy, healthcare, and whatever else has my attention.
Psychology
Cognitive Dissonance: Why We Rationalize More Than We Think
Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance, that we are motivated to resolve inconsistency between our beliefs and our behavior, explains a remarkable range of human self justification.
Psychology
Positive Aging: Psychology of Later Life and What the Research Shows
Aging is often framed as decline. Psychological research on positive aging reveals a more complex and in some respects more hopeful picture.
Psychology
Sleep and Psychology: How Rest Shapes Mental Health and Cognition
Sleep is among the most consequential determinants of psychological functioning. Research on what sleep does for mental health and cognition has grown substantially.
Psychology
Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan: What Changes and What Endures
Cognitive abilities change throughout life in ways that are more nuanced than simple decline narratives suggest. Research reveals both vulnerabilities and genuine gains across adulthood.
Psychology
The Science of Happiness: What Research Shows About Wellbeing
Positive psychology has generated substantial research on what contributes to human wellbeing. The findings challenge some intuitive beliefs about what makes people happy.
Psychology
Emotion Regulation: Research on How People Manage Their Emotional Lives
Emotion regulation is one of the most actively studied topics in clinical and developmental psychology. Research on how people regulate emotions and what happens when regulation fails has broad implications.
Psychology
Organizational Psychology: What Makes Teams and Workplaces Effective
Organizational psychology applies psychological science to the workplace. Its findings on motivation, leadership, and team effectiveness have significant practical implications.
Psychology
Sleep and Cognitive Function: What Research Shows About the Brain During Rest
Sleep is not passive downtime. Research over the past two decades has revealed it as an active, complex process that is essential for memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation.