All articles from Psyche

Seeing grief for what it is

Faced with the pain of grief, it’s tempting to reach for words of comfort, but Yiyun Li showed me how little they offer - by Pia Rios Read on Psyche

Five tips for effective language learning

Make language learning part of your daily life with five nifty tips aimed at building fluency in real conversations - Video by BBC Ideas and the Open University Watch on Psyche

The special kind of knowledge that can’t be put into words

Knowledge doesn’t only reside in books and lectures. As Bertrand Russell observed, there’s also ‘knowledge by acquaintance’ - by Matt Duncan Read on Psyche

The roots of goodness

Ervin Staub survived the Holocaust as a child. As a psychologist, he spent a lifetime asking how cruelty takes hold – and whether kindness can, too - by Michael Bond Read on Psyche

Our uniform

An Iranian animator turns her old school uniform into a canvas as she ponders the power clothes hold over their wearers - Directed by Yegane Moghaddam Watch on Psyche

Why raves are such a reliable source of spiritual experience

Amid the pounding bass, ravers achieve a transcendence long associated with sacred practices. Neuroscience explains how - by Alexander Dillabaugh Read on Psyche

How to be defiant

Staying silent often feels like the safe choice, but the costs can be profound. Here’s how to stand up for yourself - by Sunita Sah Read on Psyche

It’s not always clear when someone’s lost the ability to decide

The complex changes of dementia and legal concepts like ‘lucid intervals’ show why patients and families must plan ahead - by Jessica M Choplin Read on Psyche

Which ‘you’ does your partner see?

Researchers analysed how much romantic partners agree about their personal characteristics – and where they agree most - by Matt Huston Read on Psyche

Threshold

This choir’s performances don’t elicit applause, but peaceful silence: they sing lullabies to comfort and hold the dying - Directed by Florence Browne Watch on Psyche

For some exercisers, a healthy habit spins out of control

When is a typically celebrated practice – working out – more like an addiction? Researchers have found some patterns - by Ashrene Rathilal Read on Psyche

Letting friendships die

I knew I was committing a small social crime. But we hadn’t truly been friends for a long time - by David Sleeth-Keppler Read on Psyche