PSYCHOLOGY

Maybe you’ll find your major on the list.

The 50 Most Popular College Majors, According to Web Searches

According to Google data, these are the top majors people are researching.

Why Do So Many Little Kids Love Dinosaurs?

It’s common for many little kids to go through a “dinosaur phase.” Here’s why.

Do you have an addiction to ghost stories?

Why Do We Tell Scary Ghost Stories?

People have been telling ghost stories for thousands of years. We dive into the psychology behind why people are drawn to such terrifying tales.

If you ever freeze after hearing something go ‘bump’ in the night, you’re not alone.

Why Do We Freeze When We’re Scared?

You’ve likely heard of fight or flight, but a third reaction—to freeze—is misunderstood by many.

Moo Deng’s cuteness is hijacking our brains.

The Science Behind the Internet’s Obsession With Moo Deng, Thailand's Celebrity Pygmy Hippo

If you experience a violent reaction to Moo Deng’s cuteness, you’re not alone.

Is Playing With a Laser Pointer Safe for Cats?

Watching your cat chase a laser pointer is undeniably hilarious, but these popular pet toys remain controversial. Here’s what the experts say.

Why Do We Laugh When We’re Scared?

Laughter is a surprisingly common reaction to being scared out of your mind.

Arts and crafts can be fun and beneficial for your mental health.

Arts and Crafts May Boost Mental Well-Being as Much as Employment, Study Says

Don’t underestimate the power of a productive crafting session.

Some of us can't wait to frolic in the leaves.

The Reasons We Love Fall So Much, According to Science

Wondering why you— or your friends—like fall so much? Here’s the science behind our love of the season.

An ouroboros on a grave marker in West Highgate Cemetery, London.

Ouroboros: The Origins and Meaning of the Snake Eating its Tail

The serpentine symbol has represented the eternal cycle of life for thousands of years.

Why Are Dairy Products Usually at the Back of a Grocery Store?

Grocery stores are intentionally designed in a way that makes you want to spend more money. The long trek to the dairy section is part of it.

Want to Be Less Biased? Take a Nap

Researchers reduced people's implicit racial and gender biases by having them undergo anti-bias training—and then take a nap.

When Drinking Too Much Tea Could Get a Woman Sent to a Psychiatric Hospital

If you were a woman in the 19th century, virtually anything could get you committed to a psychiatric hospital—including drinking too much tea.

Emojis can be misinterpreted by older adults.

These Two Emoji Meanings Really Baffle Gen X and Baby Boomers

Certain emojis prompt uncertainty among older adults.

If you swear you’ve seen Bloody Mary, you may have experienced the Troxler effect.

Bloody Mary: Why We Think We See Ghosts in Mirrors

The spooky Bloody Mary phenomenon has a scientific explanation.

Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological coping mechanism.

The Surprising Origin of Stockholm Syndrome

Is Stockholm Syndrome real? Learn about the survival tactic that leads captives to sympathize with their captors.

She's probably spent the last 20 minutes listening to the same fuzzy song on a loop.

Why Hold Music Is So Annoying

There are some psychological reasons why being put on hold is such a frustrating experience.

Why Do We Make New Year’s Resolutions?

Every time a new year rolls around, people set out to better themselves. But why do we make these promises to ourselves, and where did this tradition come from? We can start by blaming the ancient Babylonians.

Bozophobia: A New Study Explains Why We Fear Clowns

There's new insight into the reasons we're not down with clowns.

Use of the word ‘placebo’ in a medical context is more recent than you might think.

Why Is It Called the “Placebo Effect”?

What is a placebo? Technically, a Latin phrase meaning ‘I will please.’ It’s also a Catholic prayer and a clever insult.

Scientists investigated whether Ouija Boards could speak for those beyond the veil.

8 Victorian Scientists Who Investigated Ghosts

Some 19th-century scientists embraced psychical research, while others tried to debunk the sensational stories.

The Clever Reason Why Grocery Stores Change Their Layouts So Often

A grocery store’s layout strategy is very calculated—and rearranging inventory is meant to confuse you.

Photo illustration by Mental Floss. Images: iStock/Customdesigner (TV), iStock/D-Keine (crime scene)

14 Reasons We Love True Crime, According to the Experts

Everywhere you turn these days, it seems like there’s a new—and wildly successful—book, podcast, or show devoted to a crime. Which raises the question: Why are we so obsessed with true crime? Here’s what the experts have to say.

Chemistry between couples does involve actual chemistry.

When You Feel “Chemistry” With Someone, What’s Actually Going On?

We know chemistry when we feel it, but we don't always know why we're drawn to one person over another. Science has some answers … but not all of them.