How Do You Know?

Better understanding emotions, social interactions, and the science of psychology

Philosophy
Why We Shouldn't Trust That Science Influencer

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on June 18, 2025

Your favorite Youtuber disagrees with the science. Why shouldn't you believe them? There's an answer from a researcher who studies what makes science work.

Your favorite Youtuber disagrees with the science. Why shouldn't you believe them? There's an answer from a researcher who studies what makes science work.

Emotions
How Do You Read Emotional Cues?

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on February 2, 2025

Why do people often disagree about others' emotions? New research reveals we have stable individual differences in how much we rely on faces versus context.

Why do people often disagree about others' emotions? New research reveals we have stable individual differences in how much we rely on faces versus context.

Neuroscience
Why Do We Have Consciousness?

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on August 4, 2024

In his most recent book, neuroscientist and psychoanalyst Mark Solms tackles a philosophical puzzle: Why should we have consciousness? Why does life feel like something at all?

In his most recent book, neuroscientist and psychoanalyst Mark Solms tackles a philosophical puzzle: Why should we have consciousness? Why does life feel like something at all?

Emotion Regulation
Art as Emotion Regulation

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on May 18, 2024

Decades of emotion regulation research suggest that expressive suppression, swallowing your emotions, is harmful. What does research on making art for emotion regulation show?

Decades of emotion regulation research suggest that expressive suppression, swallowing your emotions, is harmful. What does research on making art for emotion regulation show?

Sex
Who's Most Interested in Sex with Robots?

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on March 25, 2024

What predicts "robosexuality," or whether someone is interested in having sex with a robot? New research suggests it's not what you think.

What predicts "robosexuality," or whether someone is interested in having sex with a robot? New research suggests it's not what you think.

Happiness
Systems Thinking and How Pursuing Happiness Backfires

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on January 21, 2024

Wanting happiness too intensely can, paradoxically, lead to less happiness. By considering the emotion system, researchers suggest better ways to achieve well-being.

Wanting happiness too intensely can, paradoxically, lead to less happiness. By considering the emotion system, researchers suggest better ways to achieve well-being.

Therapy
Why Therapy Should Be Subversive

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on January 2, 2024

Therapists help us accept ourselves, clarify our values, and thrive in a complex world. So why does Nancy McWilliams ask therapists to be subversive?

Therapists help us accept ourselves, clarify our values, and thrive in a complex world. So why does Nancy McWilliams ask therapists to be subversive?

Loneliness
Understanding Age and Loneliness

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on October 6, 2023

Does being alone matter more for some people than others? Are relationships more important at certain ages? New research on loneliness and being alone provides surprising insights.

Does being alone matter more for some people than others? Are relationships more important at certain ages? New research on loneliness and being alone provides surprising insights.

Loneliness
Why Being Alone Isn't Loneliness

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on October 2, 2023

Being alone is not the same as being lonely. But how do we know how they are really related? My new research explores this further.

Being alone is not the same as being lonely. But how do we know how they are really related? My new research explores this further.

Social Networking
Does Facebook Make People Unhappy?

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on August 21, 2023

New research combines data from almost 1 million people collected by Facebook and Gallup polling to answer the question: Are countries that use Facebook more unhappy?

New research combines data from almost 1 million people collected by Facebook and Gallup polling to answer the question: Are countries that use Facebook more unhappy?

ADHD
Can We Develop a Brain Test for ADHD?

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on August 7, 2023

For two decades, researchers have searched for a way to diagnose ADHD by measuring the brain's electrical activity. Is a promising marker emerging from recent research?

For two decades, researchers have searched for a way to diagnose ADHD by measuring the brain's electrical activity. Is a promising marker emerging from recent research?

Emotions
Thinking Versus Feeling in the Brain

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on July 17, 2023

A debate from Plato to modern neuroscience: how do emotions and reason interact? New theories from neuroscientist Luiz Pessoa challenge conventional wisdom.

A debate from Plato to modern neuroscience: how do emotions and reason interact? New theories from neuroscientist Luiz Pessoa challenge conventional wisdom.

Replication Crisis
Dishonest Research on Honesty

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on June 25, 2023

Researchers have identified likely data manipulations by a Harvard Business School professor in a study on honesty. How should we treat such problems in psychology research?

Researchers have identified likely data manipulations by a Harvard Business School professor in a study on honesty. How should we treat such problems in psychology research?

Depression
TMS: Stimulating the Brain Back to Health

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on June 4, 2023

TMS is a the brain stimulation technique that's helping thousands of people improve their depression by changing overall patterns of brain activity.

TMS is a the brain stimulation technique that's helping thousands of people improve their depression by changing overall patterns of brain activity.

Depression
How Does Brain Stimulation Reduce Depression?

Alexander Danvers Ph.D. on May 21, 2023

In 2022, the FDA approved a new super-fast brain stimulation for depression. New research identified the change in the brain that may explain its success.

In 2022, the FDA approved a new super-fast brain stimulation for depression. New research identified the change in the brain that may explain its success.

Back
Back
Find a Therapist
Back
Get Help
Back
Magazine
May 2025 magazine cover
May 2025
Why Your Quirks Are Your Superpowers

The brightest way to shine is by being fully, imperfectly yourself.

Subscribe Issue Archive
Back
Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.