Research reveals that common beliefs about sexuality often miss the mark. From how age affects desire to whether we have a "type," science shows myths shape our sexual lives more than facts.
By The Spotlight Desk · 4 min read
Barbara Blatchley is a neuroscience professor at Agnes Scott College who studies sensory system development and auditory processing while communicating research findings to general audiences through…
By The Spotlight Desk · 2 min read
First-person narratives of resilience and struggle are becoming central to mental health discourse, offering insights that clinical data alone cannot provide.
By The Spotlight Desk · 2 min read
Awe triggers measurable shifts in generosity, prosocial behavior, and mental health. Research shows the emotion reduces self-focus, increases well-being, and may lower stress and inflammation—benefits accessible…
By The Spotlight Desk · 3 min read
Brain imaging shows hypnotizable people have distinct neural connectivity patterns. Despite myths about mind control, hypnosis is a real mental state used clinically for pain management…
By The Spotlight Desk · 2 min read
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
Schadenfreude, the pleasure derived from others' misfortune, is a universal psychological phenomenon rooted in social comparison and linked to personality traits. Research reveals how self-esteem, social…
By The Spotlight Desk · 4 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
A clinical neuroscientist at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Laura Bilbao Broch bridges laboratory research with public science communication through her LinkedIn series and Psychology Today contributions…
By The Spotlight Desk · 2 min read