From the Liver King to ultramarathons, fitness influencers are glorifying extreme masculinity where ‘pain is the point’
Boosted by algorithms, many influencers are framing suffering as fitness, and failing young men in the process.
The Conversation > Psychology
How does consciousness work? Duelling scientists tested two big theories but found no winner
When it comes to consciousness, theories are like toothbrushes. Everybody has their own and nobody wants to use anybody else’s.
The Conversation > Psychology
Colors are objective, according to two philosophers − even though the blue you see doesn’t match what I see
An object’s color appears differently under different lighting and against different backgrounds − for different viewers. But that doesn’t mean colors are subjective.
The Conversation > Psychology
‘I’m a failure’: how schema therapy tackles the deep-rooted beliefs that affect our mental health
Most of us are not consciously aware of the mental blueprints that can affect our mental health and perceptions of ourselves.
The Conversation > Psychology
Perceived consensus drives moral intolerance in a time of identity-driven politics and online bubbles
A psychologist explains how group identity, polarizing issues and social media are driving people apart – and suggests some remedies.
The Conversation > Psychology
We’re hardwired to laugh – this is why watching comedians try to be the ‘Last One Laughing’ is so funny
Ten comedians, one room, last comic to laugh wins. But what makes comedy – and not laughing – so funny?
The Conversation > Psychology
Hard work feels worth it, but only after it’s done – new research on how people value effort
Researchers probed what psychologists call the ‘paradox of effort’ to learn how different people value work they could do in the future or that they’ve already accomplished in the past.
The Conversation > PsychologyWould you join the resistance if stuck in an authoritarian regime? Here’s the psychology
Good resistance fighters aren’t scared to take risks.
The Conversation > PsychologyThe Coalition wants to increase Medicare psychology rebates from 10 to 20 sessions. Here’s what happened last time
The cap on Medicare subsidised psychology sessions rose to 20 during COVID. But there are better ways to achieve the program’s aims.
The Conversation > Psychology
How scratching monkeys can help us understand emotions and consciousness
And a recent study found subtle but fascinating differences in the behaviour-emotion connection in humans and monkeys.
The Conversation > Psychology
How foreign accents subconsciously shape the way we interact
Our brains find it easier to process a familiar accent, meaning irony often gets lost in interpretation.
The Conversation > Psychology
Cuts to research into inequality, disparities and other DEIA topics harm science
From HIV treatments to school desegregation, research into topics now considered DEIA have benefited Americans throughout history.
The Conversation > Psychology
Humans aren’t the only animals with complex culture − but researchers point to one feature that makes ours unique
Animals can learn from each other, maintaining their cultures for long periods of time. What sets people apart may be the uniquely open-ended ways we invent new ideas and share and build on them.
The Conversation > Psychology