Stories have shapes which can be drawn on graph paper. — Kurt Vonnegut The title of today’s post shares its name with the title of new and fascinating research that tries to answer the following question: why do certain movies, books, stories, etc. catch on and become popular? These days, it’s gone viral to say…
The brains of humans contain a mechanism that is designed to give priority to bad news. — Daniel Kahneman Although it may seem minimal, tiny variations in the way you’re asked a question can have a surprising impact on your thoughts and behavior. And I do mean surprising… Let’s start with a basic example. Imagine you’re…
The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than its value. — Charles Dudley Warner Note: Today’s post was written in conjunction with Andy Earle, a research psychologist and writer at Loyola Marymount University, Assistant Director of HeadsUP Research Lab. ————- Most of us think giving great gifts is an art form, but…
Disappointment is inevitable; misery is optional. — Various authors We’ve all been there. Your favorite sports team loses to their rival. The political candidate you hoped would win doesn’t. A movie you love didn’t get the award. Everyone feels bummed in these moments—but why do some people seem crushed while others just shrug it off?…
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. — Bertrand Russell What are some topics or activities that you’re unwilling to admit you enjoy? Enjoyment is a fundamental human experience – and one of the most sought out. But, when you say you enjoy something, what does that say about you? Why might there…
When people commit the same misbehavior at work, like sexual harassment, they should receive the same professional consequences. But some people get away with lighter punishments. Whereas one perpetrator rightly gets fired for their job, another person may simply have to attend an “educational workshop.” In a paper published just this year, two researchers have…