Tilting at windmills: How conspiracy theories hinder climate action and what to do about it
keywords:
Conspiracy belief / conspiracy theories / conspiracy mentality / climate change / climate protection
Tilting at windmills: How conspiracy theories hinder climate action and what to do about it
Conspiracy theories about climate change are common. People who believe in them show less climate-friendly attitudes and behaviors. But there are ways to reduce the impact of conspiracy theories in the context of climate action. / more
It’s just a joke, right? Empirical findings on the serious effects of sexist humor
It’s just a joke, right? Empirical findings on the serious effects of sexist humor
You can still make a joke, right? Yes, but... misogynistic jokes about women can have negative consequences. What can such humor do to women and men? / more
Horoscopes – why we believe in them
keywords:
horoscope / Barnum effect / Forer effect / marketing / cognitive bias / The Greatest Showman
Horoscopes – why we believe in them
When reading horoscopes, we often find sentences like: "Sometimes you are extroverted, sociable, and open-minded, sometimes rather introverted, skeptical, and reserved." If you feel that this statement applies to you, you're not alone. Horoscopes often seem to be very accurate; an observation that might be attributed to the Barnum effect. / more
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day…or is it?
Does nudging have a place in politics? How decision-making contexts inevitably influence our behavior
keywords:
Nudging / heuristics / choice architecture / public policy
Does nudging have a place in politics? How decision-making contexts inevitably influence our behavior
We like to see ourselves as masters of our decisions. However, psychological research has found that the context that surrounds our decisions influences our behavior often unnoticed - for better or for worse. Policy makers need to be aware of these influences to protect citizens from being manipulated and to reach societal goals efficiently. Why is the influence of contexts on decisions relevant for effective and citizen-centered policy making? Psychologist Dr. Mario Herberz explains. / more
Context matters: Why women are not worse negotiators than men
keywords:
negotiation / stereotypes
Context matters: Why women are not worse negotiators than men
Mastering the art of negotiation is key to being successful in everyday life and in a highly competitive and dynamic professional world. One widespread belief among laypeople is that women are inferior negotiators compared to men. Such gender stereotypes can hold women back from achieving their goals, and ultimately lead to lower income levels and poorer career prospects. But is this stereotype true? / more
That's cringe! – Wait a minute. What is cringe?
keywords:
cringe / vicarious emotions / vicarious embarrassment
That's cringe! – Wait a minute. What is cringe?
The word “cringe” is on everyone's lips. What does it mean? How can it be described? An attempt to explain the phenomenon using established psychological constructs. / more
Is there an art center in our brain? That’s bananas!
Is there an art center in our brain? That’s bananas!
Artworks can move us deeply. But does that mean our brain treats them in a special way? We can find out by looking at how the brain processes art and what evolutionary advantages it has to be able to like things and judge them as beautiful. / more
How harmful is “always-on” for our well-being? Technology-assisted supplemental work
How harmful is “always-on” for our well-being? Technology-assisted supplemental work
Calling a colleague on the way home, finishing a presentation after dinner or checking emails before going to bed - for many employees, this is the norm rather than an exception. But to what extent does being "always on" jeopardize our well-being? And what can help us to benefit from additional work after-hours?
For most employees, smartphones, laptops, and co are an integral part of their working lives. In many professions, information and communication technologies... / more
Olympic Mind: An International Special Issue on The Psychology of Extraordinary Sports Performance
Olympic Mind: An International Special Issue on The Psychology of Extraordinary Sports Performance
Performing the Biles 3 in gymnastics, running 100m in 9.58 seconds, or lifting 267 kg are just a few astonishing examples of world-record performances in Olympic sports. In 2024 the whole world will once again be able to testify ca. 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees striving to perform at their very best in 32 different sports. Extraordinary sports performance is multifaceted relying on a well-trained body and a well-trained mind. In this special issue,... / more