Psychology

New books reviewed on the power of doubt, 1970s science-fiction icons, consciousness, interstellar travel, and more

Gaslighting isn’t just between people in a relationship—it involves social power, too

Society’s stereotypes can slip into communication in subtle ways

A specific kind of trauma results when a person’s core principles are violated during wartime or a pandemic

Most of the people mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II were not close to her—research can shed light on the nature of their grief

Chronic pain is biochemical, but it’s also psychological, and treatment needs to address how we think and feel about it

If you can find ways to make an activity appear safer, you can also make it more morally acceptable to some people

New laws make it harder for teachers to discuss racism and inequality, but psychological evidence shows these conversations dispel causes of bias and distress

Concentrating for long periods builds up chemicals that disrupt brain functioning.

Learning to visualize objects might improve thinking in words, a finding that could enhance teaching methods

Making decisions based on complex information is frustrating and stressful, but a change in mindset can help

Amid COVID, studies in Denmark suggest that crowds do not always engage in bad behavior—and that mass-gatherings sometimes offer meaningful connection