Are We Becoming Smart Fools?
IQ points keep rising with each generation, but the tests are leaving out emotional intelligence, creativity, and wisdom—the very traits we need to solve our most pressing problems. Read More
Articles by Sharon Begley
Creativity
Magazine
Belonging Is Believing
What we humans believe has always been shaped by the group we identify with. In the age of filter bubbles, the habit of looking to our tribe for all the answers may be escalating. Read More
Focus & Attention
Smart Phone, Lazy Brain
We still call them “phones,” but they are seldom used for talking. They have become like a substitute for memory—and other brain functions. Is that good for us in the long run? Read More
Learn
7 Common Pop Psychology Myths, Debunked
The latest findings in psychology—about our deep-seated thoughts, emotions, and behaviors—get a lot of media attention. Unfortunately, they often turn out to be flawed or false. Here's the evidence that contradicts 7 of the most common pop psychology myths. Read More
Focus & Attention
How the Brain Changes When We Practice Knowing Our Minds
Practicing self-affirmation wires your brain to recognize your own brand of failure, reducing the defensiveness that can hinder performance improvement. Read More
Learn
When Avoidance Rules Your Life: Understanding Compulsions vs. Addictions
Though we often equate compulsions and addictions, researchers are now drawing a sharp distinction between these two behaviors—one is about avoiding and the other about seeking. Read More
Learn
Forget Me, Forget Me Not…
We tend to think of memory as a one-shot deal. We experience something and we either store it in memory or let it go. New research suggests otherwise: Fresh data can draw out latent memories. Read More
Gratitude
The Now Addiction
Proponents of mindfulness meditation repeatedly celebrate living in the now, but being able to forestall gratification to a future time can also be a key element of mindfulness. Read More
Focus & Attention
Beware Your Biased Brain
Our brain can move very fast, and that can be a real problem. The tendency to make split-second assessments of people can lead to disastrous outcomes. Read More
Loving-Kindness & Compassion
Mindfulness and Generosity: What’s the Connection?
What makes the difference between giving and holding back? It turns out generosity is a skill we can develop, and hard times play a big role. Read More
