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Applied Psychology
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Why are we suckers for Astrology, the Myers-Briggs, and other pseudoscientific personality tests?
Astrology signs and MBTI do not predict people's lives (but the Big 5 does). We explain why people love them nevertheless.
Feb 19
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Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel
38
9
10
How Groups Succeed Where Willpower Fails
Why shared goals, social norms, and smart environments are the real engines of lasting behavior change
Dec 29, 2025
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Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel
12
2
Debunking Popular Psychology Myths: Revising The Bystander Effect
Our first column in a series debunking the biggest myths in the history of social psychology
Sep 5, 2024
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Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel
34
4
9
How to talk about climate change and the problem with doomerism
Issue 107: We conducted one of the largest experiments ever on climate change behavior — with advice from MythBusters' Jamie Hyneman
Feb 27, 2024
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Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel
13
6
5
We Crossed 10,000 Subscribers—Now We’re Upgrading the Newsletter
New amenities, new community perks, and what we’re building next.
2 hrs ago
•
Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel
15
2
Applied Psychology
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Climate Doom Doesn't Mobilize—It Paralyzes
Lessons from one of the largest experiments on climate change behavior + a new initiative from MythBusters' Jamie Hyneman
Apr 22
•
Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel
23
6
“Not American Enough"
How stereotypes and feelings of status threat can explain why Bad Bunny’s set was so polarizing
Feb 25
•
Yvonne Phan
22
5
1
Why are we suckers for Astrology, the Myers-Briggs, and other pseudoscientific personality tests?
Astrology signs and MBTI do not predict people's lives (but the Big 5 does). We explain why people love them nevertheless.
Feb 19
•
Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel
38
9
10
Politics
See all
Policing, Protests, and Us: Why Force Deepens Division
An identity-based account of how crackdowns on demonstrations can intensify collective action — in the wake of the Minneapolis ICE killing.
Jan 17
•
Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel
13
4
Polarized Family Gatherings: The New Holiday Reality
What research reveals about political conflict during family dinners—and how to steer conversations back to connection
Nov 25, 2025
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Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel
3
2
Democracy in the (Dis)information Age
Issue 184: A guest lecture with Jay and Asha Rangappa from the Freedom Academy
Oct 17, 2025
•
Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel
and
Asha Rangappa
5
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The Power of Us
Why does it feel like everyone is more divided than ever? The science of identity offers a blueprint to how we can rebuild a shared sense of “us” in our workplaces, communities, and everyday lives.
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