Strange Journeys

Empathy

Why It’s Healthy to Like Horror

Jeffrey S. Debies Carl Ph.D. on March 25, 2024

Horror fans might actually be more caring than the average person, new research finds.

Horror fans might actually be more caring than the average person, new research finds.

Memory

Why Being a Victim Can Distort Your Memory

Jeffrey S. Debies Carl Ph.D. on March 18, 2024

Eyewitness testimony is known to be unreliable. New research suggests that it's even worse when a witness is also the victim.

Eyewitness testimony is known to be unreliable. New research suggests that it's even worse when a witness is also the victim.

Magical Thinking

Study Highlights Dangers of Superstitious Beliefs

Jeffrey S. Debies Carl Ph.D. on December 29, 2023

New research in Germany finds a troubling link between superstition and beliefs harmful to society and democracy.

New research in Germany finds a troubling link between superstition and beliefs harmful to society and democracy.

Conspiracy Theories

Dark Personalities, Cognitive Style, and Conspiracy Theories

Jeffrey S. Debies Carl Ph.D. on December 18, 2023

Your personality might predict your susceptibility to false claims, but the way you think matters, too.

Your personality might predict your susceptibility to false claims, but the way you think matters, too.

Magical Thinking

Half-Belief in Superstitions

Jeffrey S. Debies Carl Ph.D. on October 30, 2023

Most people’s beliefs about superstitions don’t match up with their behaviors. Are you a half-believer, a passive believer, or a calibrated believer?

Most people’s beliefs about superstitions don’t match up with their behaviors. Are you a half-believer, a passive believer, or a calibrated believer?

Education

Why Narcissists Love Conspiracy Theories

Jeffrey S. Debies Carl Ph.D. on August 17, 2023

Research reveals that narcissists are more likely to fall for false claims and that education might actually make the problem worse.

Research reveals that narcissists are more likely to fall for false claims and that education might actually make the problem worse.

Gender

Your Gender May Affect How You Think About the Paranormal

Jeffrey S. Debies Carl Ph.D. on August 4, 2023

Your identity could make a difference when it comes to which paranormal anomalies you believe in (or don't). Gender nonconformists might be the most likely to believe.

Your identity could make a difference when it comes to which paranormal anomalies you believe in (or don't). Gender nonconformists might be the most likely to believe.

Magical Thinking

The Psychological Origin of Supernatural Thinking

Jeffrey S. Debies Carl Ph.D. on July 26, 2023

The reason why beliefs in the supernatural are so common around the world may be buried deep in our evolutionary past.

The reason why beliefs in the supernatural are so common around the world may be buried deep in our evolutionary past.