“How do we think?” Although it seems like a simple question, it’s actually one of the most profound a person can ask themselves. Education can help answer this question, not through prefabricated solutions, but rather by teaching people to think for themselves, to cultivate their autonomy, and to become reflective beings capable of directing their […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Think about how you think before asking AI anything.
When you’re caught between ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ here’s why ‘maybe’ isn’t the way to go
Say you win a radio sweepstakes giving you two tickets to a sold-out concert the upcoming weekend. You eagerly text your friend and ask if they’d like to join. Their response? “Maybe.” Your mood immediately turns. You feel slighted rather than joyous as you’re left in limbo: Now you need to wait for your waffling […] … learn more→
Eight seconds and dropping? How to make the most of short attention spans
We are regularly bombarded with information about a steep drop in attention spans. Based on its own data in 2015, Microsoft reported that the average attention span had dropped from about 12 seconds for millennials to eight seconds for gen Z. And as the new Premier League season kicked off, UEFA introduced a new “eight seconds rule” stating a […] … learn more→
Why people embrace conspiracy theories: it’s about community, not gullibility
Psychologists have long considered how a tendency towards irrational thinking or particular personality traits might predict peoples’ interest in conspiracies. Yet these individual factors do not explain the group processes through which conspiracy theorists are extending their influence and impact. Over five years, we sought out and got to know people on the cusp of becoming conspiracy theorists. And […] … learn more→
How traveling broadens students’ perspectives and worldviews
Ever wonder what the most effective way to completely transform a student’s perspective? Travel. Simple as that. Something incredibly powerful happens when you step outside your comfort zone and see the world through completely new eyes. For students in particular, travel isn’t just a fun change of scenery, it’s an experience that can fundamentally alter […] … learn more→
Expressing gratitude isn’t necessary, but a little appreciation may still go a long way
Gratitude statements like “Thanks! You are so kind!” and “Thank you! What you did was really helpful,” are common when someone receives assistance from another person. Such expressions of gratitude and appreciation have long been thought to encourage the helper to do kind things again in the future. But do they? In contrast to past research, […] … learn more→
Why do we have one hand less skilled than another?
You’ve probably noticed that when you’re writing, playing soccer, or brushing your teeth, you always use one hand more dexterously than the other. This isn’t a coincidence: it’s a characteristic called handedness, which means our brain prefers to use a specific hand for precision tasks. But why does this happen? A question of energy saving […] … learn more→
Teenagers no longer answer the phone: lack of politeness or new customs?
While they may be able to send a series of messages to those around them, teenagers are reluctant to answer calls. Why such reluctance? By avoiding direct communication, how are communication codes being reshaped? Teenagers have a phone grafted to their hand… but don’t answer when called. This situation, familiar to many parents, may seem […] … learn more→
Do people really resemble their dogs?
Many dog owners wonder whether they share similarities with their dogs, including characteristics like a calm temperament, a sociable personality or even a bit of stubbornness. The idea that people and dogs resemble each other is not just a joke. In fact, some researchers have explored this question. As a clinician and researcher who has been studying […] … learn more→
Who really benefits from smart tech at home? ‘Optimising’ family life can reinforce gender roles
Have you heard of the “male technologist” mindset? It may sound familiar, and you may even know such people personally. Design researchers Turkka Keinonen and Nils Ehrenberg have defined the male technologist as someone who is obsessed with concerns about energy, efficiency and reducing labour. This archetype became apparent in my PhD research when I interviewed 12 […] … learn more→