I write about psychology, research communication, and the absolute state of academia
Choose your own adventure, then scroll down to see posts in that area.
Why do we catch yawns?
Started yawning already? Find out why you can catch yawns from other humans and even other animals…
Why do people swear?
Need some debating points to challenge someone who thinks profanity is a sign of poor vocabulary? I can help.
Is red a winning colour?
Did England do well in the 2018 Men’s World Cup because they were wearing red?
How to get rid of a song that's stuck in your head
How do earworms happen and - more importantly - how can we make them go away?
Do people really behave strangely at the full moon?
Tides, lack of sleep, or just a myth?
How nature boosts mental health
You’d be surprised how many health benefits a gentle stroll in the woods can have.
How much do people with dementia understand?
While memory for daily life may go, memory for emotions remains. Dr Lauren Rooney explains…
Why does jetlag affect our memories?
Is it stress, circadian rhythms, or simply the fact that all airports are cursed?
Why do words get stuck on the tip of your tongue?
It’s all to do with the different levels of knowledge we have about a word.
What makes child prodigies different from other children?
A chat with my guest Zack Cahill about the research on whether child prodigies are made or born.
Should I steal my friend's boyfriend?
Dr Bobby May explains why it might not be a great idea.
No, you're not right-brained (or left-brained)
It’s a myth - but how did it get started and why do we still believe it today?
Can astrology tell us anything about our personalities?
Short answer: no. Longer answer: read on!
Selfie-ish behaviour
Quick, take a selfie! Now, click to find out why you’re likely to have shown one side of your face to the camera.