On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bullshit Gordon Pennycook, James Allan Cheyne, Nathaniel Barr, Derek J. Koehler, & Jonathan A. Fugelsang Although bullshit is common in everyday life and has attracted attention from philosophers, its reception (critical or ingenuous) has not, to our knowledge, been subject to empirical investigation. Here we focus on pseudo-profound […]
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The New “Need for Drama” Scale
We all know people who seem to always be creating unnecessary drama. But can this dimension of personality be measured? Scott Frankowski and his colleagues at the University of Texas at El Paso think so. In a new paper, they attempt to measure the “Need for Drama” personality. What is the Need For Drama personality? According […]
Are You Blirtatious?
Do you speak your mind as soon as a thought enters your head? Do people always say you’re a “straight shooter”? If so, you may qualify for membership in the blirtaeousness club. In the parlance of psychological science, B.L.I.R.T. is an acronym for “Brief Loquacious and Interpersonal Responsiveness Test”. High blirters express themselves easily in social situations, have […]
The Surprising Benefits of a Quiet Ego
[This post originally appeared on the Quiet Revolution] If you stroll down the self-help aisle of most bookstores in America, you’ll notice that book after book is about how to be great, look good, and win. All of these promises for self-enhancement can be loud and quite overwhelming. Sometimes I cheekily wonder, why is there no such thing […]
I’m a really slow reader
I’m a really slow reader. This used to be a real problem, such as when I had to take the SATs or take tests in school. But now I cherish my pace. What I’ve come to realize about myself, which was never appreciated in school, is that I’m a mindful reader. I treat every sentence […]
The Real Science of Introversion (And the Rest of Personality)
Introversion is one of the most misunderstood (yet most widely recognized and talked about) dimensions of human personality. Does introversion mean you’re less social? Not necessarily. Does introversion mean you’re shy? Not necessarily. Does introversion mean you’re more emotionally sensitive? Not necessarily. Does introversion mean you’re a nicer, warmer person? Not necessarily. Does introversion mean you’re more reflective and […]
The Myth of the Alpha Male
There are a lot of false dichotomies out there — left brain vs. right brain, nature vs. nurture, etc. But one really persistent myth, that is literally costing human lives, is the distinction between “alpha” and “beta” males. As the story typically goes, there are two types of men. “Alpha” males are those at the top of the […]
Is it Time for a Personal Growth Mindset?
In education circles, the phrase “growth mindset” is everywhere. According to Carol Dweck, those with a growth mindset believe that intelligence can be developed over time, whereas those with a fixed mindset believe that intelligence remains stable across the lifespan. To test whether people have a growth mindset, Dweck uses items such as: “No matter who you are, you can […]
Do College Admissions Criteria Capture Creativity?
What does it take to get into college? High school grades and standardized tests are still the most common metrics. While this information is often considered alongside other sources of information (interviews, personal statement, essay, letters of recommendation), these other indicators of college potential are typically not considered if high school grades and standardized test […]
Why Do Narcissists Lose Popularity Over Time?
Narcissism has been something of a mystery to psychologists. With narcissists, things tend to be extreme: the good is really good, and the bad is really bad. Narcissism expert W. Keith Campbell compares interacting with narcissists to eating chococate cake: “When I eat chococlate cake, 20 minutes later I’m under my desk wanting to die. When I eat broccoli, in 20 minutes I feel good. […]
Creative People Are…
Creative individuals are remarkable for their ability to adapt to almost any situation and to make do with whatever is at hand to reach their goals. If I had to express in one word what makes their personalities different from others, it’s complexity. They show tendencies of thought and action that in most people are segregated. […]
Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined Is Out in Paperback!
Here’s to the kids who are different, The kids who don’t always get A’s The kids who have ears twice the size of their peers, And noses that go on for days . . . Here’s to the kids who are different, The kids they call crazy or dumb, The kids who don’t fit, […]