Emotions are automatic bodily reactions with neurological origins, guiding survival decisions and social interaction. Research shows they originate in the amygdala and influence everything from risk…
By The Spotlight Desk · 2 min read
Motivation fuels human achievement, but intrinsic and extrinsic sources operate differently. While external rewards provide short-term boosts, internal drives sustain long-term effort. Understanding this distinction clarifies…
By The Spotlight Desk · 3 min read
Research shows we consistently misinterpret others' intentions based on our own biases. A 2003 study found changing one word flipped people's verdict on intent entirely—the same…
By The Spotlight Desk · 2 min read
Social bonds shape mental and physical health. Research shows what matters isn't friend count but relationship quality and satisfaction—and how you build connections has changed in…
By The Spotlight Desk · 3 min read
Boundaries protect privacy and mental health, but many struggle to set them. Research shows people-pleasers often believe their needs are less important, while romantic partners may…
By The Spotlight Desk · 3 min read
Psychologists say child development rests on four stable needs, safety, structure, support, and love, even as helicopter and gentle parenting styles cycle through.
By The Spotlight Desk · 3 min read
A 2025 Pew survey found 57% of U.S. adults use AI tools weekly, as psychologists flag rare but serious harms from heavy chatbot use.
By The Spotlight Desk · 3 min read
Sebastian Salicru's Psychology Today column has shifted from pandemic coping to psychedelic-assisted therapy and schema-based change, treating each as clinical process.
By The Spotlight Desk · 3 min read
Sebastian Salicru is a Canberra-based psychologist, author, and executive coach whose Psychology Today writing spans schema therapy, leadership, and psychedelic-assisted therapy.
By The Spotlight Desk · 3 min read
Therapy is talk-based treatment delivered by trained professionals. Here is what it involves, who benefits, and the practical questions that shape starting.
By The Spotlight Desk · 3 min read