In many professions, evaluations can be rough; one negative comment can negate all of the positive comments. Oftentimes, that negative comment takes on the “white bear” or thought suppression phenomenon identified by Daniel Wegner in 1987. Reportedly influenced by the following line from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Winter Notes on Summer Impressions” Try to pose for yourself […]
Kim and Drew want to go out for the evening. Kim wants to attend a symphonic orchestra, but Drew wants to attend a gymnastics competition. While they do not agree on what event to attend, both prefer to do something together rather than alone. The situation constitutes an example of an experimental game, a set […]
I’m delighted to welcome Jonathan Caballero and Travis Seale-Carlisle to the digital team as our newest Digital Associate Editors. Jonathan is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at McGill University. His main research interest involves the influences of perception on social interactions. He is currently investigating how communication impairments associated with Parkinson’s disease impacts social interactions. The […]
In the book of Genesis, Cain, who slayed his brother Abel in jealousy, was asked by God, where is your brother? Cain’s response was, “I know not; Am I my brother’s keeper?” Cain’s sarcastic response suggested an unwillingness to take responsibility for his brother. Thankfully, in today’s society, the concept of serving as “My Brother’s […]
Word problems – they’re the bane of many a math students’ existence. But what makes them so difficult? Sometimes, the issue is that our real-world knowledge suggests a way of thinking that is contrary to what the problem requires. For example, people assume that problems including the phrase “more than” will require addition and problems […]
Can we predict the future? In 2011, Bem published a paper describing results from 9 experiments suggesting that we can. The research was quickly debunked and became part of what kicked off the movement to correct replicability issues in psychological science. Alas, there is no evidence that we have the powers of prediction. We do, however, […]
Ever notice how speed texting seems to be a young person’s game? Most Gen Zs and Millennials send messages from their smart phones much faster than their parents and grandparents. As such, tech companies have created settings specifically to make smart phone use easier for the elderly. One explanation is that tactile acuity declines as […]
We bid Steve Lewandowsky a fond farewell as the very first Psychonomic Society Digital Content Editor. But fear not, friends, he is now on the Governing Board and has an open invitation to contribute to the digital content. I had the pleasure of interviewing Steve about his tenure as the Digital Content Editor. In the […]
Shall I respond to the email that just pinged, write this blog, referee the kids, or take the dog out? Every day, we are bombarded by multiple tasks that must be performed seemingly at the same time. Sometimes they are menial tasks that do not require much attention like a message coming into your phone […]
We have much to look forward to in the New Year, including reading and hearing about new cognitive science from Psychonomic Society members and published in the Society’s journals. We thought we’d take this opportunity to wish you a happy new year and to remind you of the Society’s digital content features that are available […]