social psychology — Blog | Dr Clare Jonas

Why we sigh

Is sighing about feelings, thoughts, or maybe both at once?

cognitive psychology, social psychology, individual differences, but whyClare Jonas10 April 2022emotion, bodies, mood, thinking, mathsComment

How to give good gifts

If you've ever faced the struggle of giving the right gift, then good news: I’ve been reading the research on gift-giving and I have some science-based tips!

social psychology, how toClare Jonas22 November 2021gifts, belief, choices, emotion, mood, possessionsComment

Why people collect celebrity memorabilia

How much would you pay for a half-eaten slice of Vegemite toast?

cognitive psychology, social psychology, but whyClare Jonas4 April 2021celebrities, belief, possessions, mementos, contagion, memoryComment

A trip to the Uncanny Valley

Ever wonder why we find some robots and puppets creepy? Now’s your chance to find out…

individual differences, evolutionary psychology, hallowe'en, social psychologyClare Jonas23 October 2020technology, culture, emotion, robotsComment

Why we copy others’ way of speaking

Ever wonder why you sound different depending on who you’re talking to? Come find out!

cognitive psychology, social psychology, but whyClare Jonas12 April 2020communication, words, speech, geographyComment

What is humour for?

A response to incongruity, to help regulate emotion, to live a fulfilling life… or all of the above?

social psychology, mental health and illness, what is...?Clare Jonas13 September 2019humour, jokes, emotion, learning, bloody capitalismComment

How false memories happen

It's probably not that we've glitched into an alternate reality, just that we're not very good at remembering…

cognitive psychology, social psychologyClare Jonas12 June 2019memory, braaaaaaiiins, belief, emotion, self-perceptionComment

Why do we catch yawns?

Started yawning already? Find out why you can catch yawns from other humans and even other animals…

developmental psychology, social psychology, but whyClare Jonas13 September 2018yawning, social interactions, empathy, childhoodComment

Why do people swear?

Need some debating points to challenge someone who thinks profanity is a sign of poor vocabulary? I can help.

developmental psychology, social psychologyClare Jonas18 August 2018swearing, language, culture, pain, childhood, genderComment

Do people really behave strangely at the full moon?

Tides, lack of sleep, or just a myth?

mental health and illness, social psychologyClare Jonas3 June 2018myths, moon, sleep, violenceComment

Psychology's answers to everyday questions, in blog form!