Have you ever met someone and, just because they seemed charming or attractive, you immediately assumed they were also intelligent, kind, or competent? That mental shortcut has a name: the Halo Effect. It’s one of the most fascinating cognitive biases in psychology, and it influences us much more than we realize. What is the Halo Effect? … Read more
An Experiment That Shook Psychology What would you do if you were given absolute power over another person? In 1971, psychologist Philip Zimbardo conducted one of the most famous—and most controversial—studies in psychology: the Stanford Prison Experiment. Ordinary college students were randomly assigned roles as guards or prisoners. Within just a few days, this “simulation” spiraled into a … Read more
Do differences in intelligence exist between different populations? And if so, why? For decades, psychologists, anthropologists, and sociologists tried to answer this question. Many studies reported differences in average IQ scores across countries and cultures – yet today, this topic is rarely discussed openly in science. Why? Out of fear of misunderstanding, political misuse, or … Read more
What FOMO Really Is Have you ever felt like you’re missing something important just because you’re not checking your phone? Or that everyone else is living amazing experiences while you’re just… here? That feeling has a name: FOMO – Fear of Missing Out. FOMO isn’t just a trendy expression. It’s a real form of anxiety that affects millions … Read more
Have you ever wondered if sadness, anger, or joy mean the same thing everywhere in the world? Psychology shows us that emotions are not only biological, they are also culturally shaped. Are emotions really universal? Psychologist Paul Ekman discovered that certain facial expressions, like smiling or crying, are recognized worldwide. But researchers such as Hazel Markus, Shinobu … Read more
Have you ever wondered if someone is manipulating you without you even realizing it? In relationships, at work, or even on social media, invisible mechanisms are often at play that shape our thoughts, emotions, and decisions. Psychology calls this manipulation – and it’s far more subtle than we think. What is Psychological Manipulation? Psychological manipulation is a … Read more
On March 13, 1964, a young woman named Kitty Genovese was brutally murdered in front of her apartment building in New York. At least 38 neighbors heard her screams for help. But no one intervened. This shocking case sparked one of the most famous concepts in social psychology: the bystander effect. It reveals a paradox in … Read more
An experiment that changed psychology What truly bonds a baby to its mother? Is it only the need for food… or is there something deeper? This was the big question psychologist Harry Harlow set out to answer in the 1950s. He did so through one of the most famous—and controversial—studies in psychology: the attachment experiment … Read more
Has anyone ever believed in you more than you believed in yourself… and thanks to that, you achieved something that once seemed impossible? That is the power of the Pygmalion Effect, a fascinating psychological phenomenon that shows how what others expect from us can change our behavior, our self-esteem, and even our future. What is the … Read more
Have you ever wondered how far you would go if someone in authority told you to do something? The story of Milgram’s experiment is one of the most fascinating and disturbing chapters in the history of psychology, and it still makes us reflect on our own decisions today. The Origin of Milgram’s Experiment In 1961, … Read more