Topic

Identity

Should You Announce Your Goals? It Depends Who You Tell

A 2009 study linked announced identity goals to less effort. A 2020 study found telling a higher-status person helped. Here's what each one measured.

Oct 2, 20267 min read

People who built a plain IKEA box bid about 63% more than people shown it prebuilt. What that means for your own plans, plus a simple stranger test.

Oct 1, 20266 min read

In a study of 19,000+ people, forecasts of future change ran smaller than reports of past change. What that means for big choices.

Sep 30, 20267 min read

Olympic footage suggests bronze medalists can look happier than silver ones. What that says about 'I almost' and 'at least' after a raise or a loss.

Sep 28, 20267 min read

In 1847 a Vienna doctor cut deaths with handwashing and was ignored. The full story is about identity, and about how evidence is delivered.

Sep 26, 20264 min read