All articles
Newest first. Each one ends with its sources.
- Mental modelsIn one study, 91.4% of worries never came trueResearchers had anxious people write down their worries, then checked 30 days later. 91.4% never happened. Here is what that means for the film you run at 2am.
- Everyday lifeWhy saying no is so hard: People asking for help underestimate your yes by up to 50%When people ask for help, they misjudge how likely you are to say yes by as much as 50%. Here is why your no costs less than your fear says, and why a yes made from fear costs more.
- TherapiesAvoiding what scares you keeps the fear alive. Researchers have tested beating a phobia in one sessionResearchers have studied treating a phobia in a single session of up to three hours. Here is why the relief of avoiding keeps fear alive, and how to start facing it in small steps.
- Everyday lifeWhy marriage feels like logistics, and what 7 minutes of something new didCouples who spent seven minutes on a novel task together rated their relationship quality higher than couples who did a dull one. Four findings on why marriage slides into admin, and what moves it back.
- Everyday lifeWanting it more barely changes what you do. Here is what doesIn 47 experiments, a big jump in wanting to act led to only a small jump in acting. Here is why knowing isn't doing, and the plan that closes the gap.
- Everyday lifeResearchers estimate a close friend takes more than 200 hours. Here is how adults find themResearchers estimate about 50 hours to make a casual friend and over 200 for a close one. Strangers, it turns out, like you more than you guess.
- Everyday lifeEveryone your age seems ahead of you. The scoreboard is riggedOne look at a profile of someone doing better lowered people's self-esteem in a 2014 experiment. Regret research shows why the sting is a map, not a verdict.
- PhilosophyPeople who pick their own lottery ticket won't sell it for the same priceIn a famous 1975 experiment, people who chose their own lottery ticket demanded more to sell it than people handed one. Same odds. Here is what that says about worrying over things you can't control.
- Body and mindA big dose of caffeine set off panic in 54% of people with panic disorderIn ten studies, 54% of people with panic disorder had a panic attack after a big dose of caffeine, against under 2% of healthy people. Four body habits that can turn your anxiety dial up or down.