Gratitude is a social emotion critical for maintaining social standing. It indicates to others when we’ve received a benefit, reinforces beneficial behavior towards the recipient, and motivates prosocial behavior in the future.
Nostalgia is a deliberate and bittersweet emotion that connects us to ourselves and other people. It reminds us of the sweeter moments of our lives and the irreversibility of time.
From not reporting ideas in the workplace to not protesting a large-scale loss of individual rights and liberties, bystanders play an important role in how personal and global events unfold.
Since May, the protests centered around the Black Lives Matter movement have forced us to gaze into a mirror and ask ourselves this very question. Resultant discussions among friends, in the news, and on social media have shown us that we must no longer ignore racism or remain silently complicit in its propagation. This uncomfortably challenging examination of ourselves and society requires an open mind and honest self-reflection.
Besides an alarming death toll, a shrinking world economy, and a renewed appreciation for thorough handwashing, the current COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed humans everywhere to another contagion: belief in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Why is it that some people tend to stick to false beliefs?
Offensive language is used in times of anger, frustration, surprise, or delight, but is negatively perceived and censored in public spaces. Despite society’s general reproach of sh*tty words, what does research have to say about swearing?
What’s in a kiss? We’re talking about an intimate, romantic kiss. It’s neither as simple nor as common as you might think.
We often use personality tests to screen job applicants or to learn more about ourselves. What do we know about these types of tests and how reliable are the results?
Characterized as the feeling of not feeling, apathy is more than just boredom and laziness. What does it look like?
Roshan Cools is a Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry and PI at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour.