How do the roles of researcher and editor inform each other? What can this intersection tell us about the future of psychological science?    In this episode of Under the Cortex, Arturo Hernandez, Professor of Psychology at the University of Houston and editor for Perspectives on Psychological Science, joins host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum to reflect on the dynamic relationship between scientific discovery and scientific communication. Drawing from his research on bilingualism and brain plasticity, Hernandez shares how his experiences in the lab and at the editor’s desk have shaped his views on innovation, interdisciplinarity, and the evolving needs of the field.    If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.    Send us your thoughts and questions at underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org. 

How do you design a study that captures human experience as it unfolds in real time? In this episode, Under the Cortex explores the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), a powerful approach for studying psychological processes. Host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer-Baum is joined by Jessica Fritz from Osnabruck University, and Marilyn Piccirillo from the Rutgers Addiction Research Center and Brain Health Institute, who are among the coauthors of a new article published in Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science. The paper outlines ten key design and implementation considerations for ESM studies, helping researchers apply this method with clarity, rigor, and real-world relevance.    If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.    Send us your thoughts and questions at underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org. 

Why do some people struggle to control their actions when emotions run high? What happens in the brain when impulsive decisions take over? Why do some brains lose control under high arousal, while others stay composed?  In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer-Baum speaks with Matthew V. Elliott from the University of California at Berkeley. Elliott’s study published in APS’s journal Clinical Psychological Science explores the science of emotion-related impulsivity —a trait linked to psychiatric disorders, aggression, and even suicidality. Fischer Baum and Elliott discuss how a new model of brain function, the GANE model, helps explain why heightened physiological arousal makes it harder for some people to regulate their emotions, what norepinephrine does to “hotspot” brain regions, and what this means for mental health treatments.  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.    Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org   

Most linguistic datasets focus on written text, but what about the way we actually speak? TalkBank, the world’s largest open-access repository of spoken language, is helping researchers understand everything from child development to dementia, bilingualism, and even classroom learning.  In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Ozge Gurcanli Fischer Baum speaks with Brian MacWhinney from the Carnegie Mellon University, who recently published an article in APS’s journal Current Directions in Psychological Science. MacWhinney, the creator of TalkBank, highlights how spoken language research is transforming our understanding of psychology and communication. The conversation evolves into the discussion of the importance of open-access language databases, the role of AI in analyzing speech, and the future of spoken language research across cultures and disciplines.  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.  Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Scientific credibility depends on valid research. But with growing concerns about replication failures and questionable research practices, how can scientists ensure their findings stand up to scrutiny?  In this episode, Under the Cortex explores the VALID checklist, a newly developed tool that helps researchers systematically assess the quality of their studies. Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Susanne Kerschbaumer from the University of Vienna and asks how the checklist offers tailored guidance for different types of research designs. Kerschbaumer explains how the study published in APS’s journal Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science addresses this important issue. Together, they discuss why validity is more than just good methodology, how researchers can avoid common pitfalls, and what the future of scientific rigor looks like.  You can access the checklist using the following link: www.validchecklist.com  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.  Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Do young children prefer to rely on their memory, or do they take the easier route and use external aids like lists and reminders? How do they decide when to put in the mental effort and when to lean on available tools?  In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum teams up with Zsuzsa Kaldy from the University of Massachusetts Boston. They discuss Kaldy’s study published in APS’s journal Psychological Science addressing how children balance memory with external help. The conversation evolves into what these findings reveal about cognitive development, and cultural differences in learning.  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.  Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Is there a single explanation that accounts for all addictive behaviors, or is the reality more complex? How can quantitative classification methods help uncover the nuances of substance dependence?  In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Ashley Watts from Vanderbilt University about her recent research article in Clinical Psychological Science. They discuss how simple explanations to addictive behavior – like the General Addiction Liability theory – may be appealing for a unified treatment approach, but a deeper, more quantitively rich dive into the data draws a more heterogenous picture. The paper argues that addiction follows a more diverse pattern, and the conversation highlights what this approach to addiction means for future research and for treatment strategies.  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.  Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Psychological research often focuses on disparities, but how do the populations studied impact the reliability of findings?  In this episode of Under the Cortex, Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum hosts Wen Wei Loh and Dongning Ren who recently published an article on this topic in APS’s journal Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science. They discuss how non-representative samples can influence study conclusions and highlight solutions for strengthening study validity.  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.  Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Children often surprise us with the details they remember—sometimes even better than adults! But what if their ability to learn comes not from focus, but from a broader, less selective attention? This episode unpacks research showing that while adults learn best when paying attention, children (ages 7-9) absorb information just as well, even when it’s irrelevant to their task. Could this be the secret behind their incredible learning abilities?   In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Marlie Tandoc from the University of Pennsylvania who recently published an article on learning and attention in APS’s journal Psychological Science. Together they discuss whether children’s weaker selective attention is a hidden strength by addressing findings on attention, memory, and childhood learning.  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.  Send us your thoughts and questions at underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Although meditation apps are gaining popularity, a clear link between usage dosage and intervention outcomes has yet to be established.  In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum teams up with Simon Goldberg from the University of Wisconsin to explore a critical question: “How does the “dosage” of meditation app use impact mental health outcomes? Drawing from a randomized controlled trial with 662 participants published in APS’s journal Clinical Psychological Science, the conversation examines various ways to measure dosage and how these metrics relate to changes in psychological distress.  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.  Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org.

As populations age, the need for informal caregivers is increasing. As individuals step up to provide care for loved ones in need, they face their own mental health challenges.  In this episode, Under the Cortex features Michael Kramer from the University of Zurich who recently published an article on this topic in APS’s journal Psychological Science. Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum starts the conversation with questions on the mental health decline of caregivers. Kramer highlights that caregiving doesn’t happen in isolation and discusses how contextual factors such as family conflicts and economic struggles play a significant role in the decline of overall well-being.  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.  Send us your thoughts and questions at underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org.   

How do the five love languages hold up to empirical research? How do psychological researchers feel about self-censorship? How does gender equality vary by country globally? Tune in to hear highlights from this year’s most popular research.   In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum and Hannah Brown take turns describing the most downloaded articles in 2024 from APS’s five major journals. Together, they discussed the topics researchers focused on, the findings they uncovered, and the unique approaches to psychological research they employed.   If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.  Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org   

When children play, how do they develop the essential skill of cooperation? What methods do they use to solve complex problems while working in teams? How do they approach a threshold dilemma when their personal interests are at odds with the team’s objectives?  In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Patricia Kanngiesser from the University of Plymouth. Kanngiesser, who is a cross-cultural and developmental psychologist, highlights the findings from a recent article in Psychological Science and discusses how children learn to navigate teamwork.    If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.    Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org.  

What potential do everyday devices, like smartwatches, have in transforming the management and treatment of eating disorders?    In this episode, Under the Cortex explores how commonly used technology, such as heart rate monitors and step counters, can be used to understand binge-eating episodes. APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum interviews Qinxin Shi from the University of Utah, whose research is featured in Clinical Psychological Science. Together, they discuss the potential implications of this innovative approach for identifying and treating eating disorders.    If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.    Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

What drives the onset of alcohol dependence in midlife? How does it present unique challenges, and what strategies can help when it disrupts the lives of individuals and their families?   In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Lara Khalifeh and Leah Richmond-Rakerd from the University of Michigan, authors of a recent article in Clinical Psychological Science. Together, they discuss the role of aging, life transitions, and retirement as possible contributors to the distinct profile of midlife-onset alcohol dependence.   If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.    Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

How does the brain’s memory function change as we grow older? What recent discoveries are helping us understand these changes better?  In this episode of Under the Cortex, Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum welcomes Karen Campbell of Brock University to discuss how aging impacts memory. Campbell shares insights from her recent study in APS’s journal Current Directions in Psychological Science, exploring the hyber-binding hypothesis. The conversation delves into how the abundance of connections in older adults’ mental representations may contribute to memory challenges later in life.  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.    Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org   

Can environmentally friendly actions boost personal well-being? Tune in to discover how a sustainable lifestyle offers profound benefits.  In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Michael Prinzing from Baylor University. Prinzing shares findings from a recent research article published in Psychological Science, which highlights the link between well-being and climate action. Together, they discussed how participants from 14 countries incorporated eco-friendly actions into daily routines and how these actions globally offer a unique path to well-being.  If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.  Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Are traditional mental health diagnoses missing the bigger picture? How can a new model help us better understand and treat mental disorders? What does recent research say about how we categorize psychopathology in youth?  In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum interviews Miri Forbes of Macquarie University. Together, they address how traditional models like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) categorize mental health disorders and explore Forbes’ recent study published in Clinical Psychological Science highlighting the more nuanced and dimensional approach that the emerging Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) offers. The strengths and shortcomings of these systems, challenges of diagnosis, and evolving landscape of mental health research are discussed.    If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.    Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Why do we shy away from discussing divisive topics like politics and religion? Are our fears of negative reactions justified or off-base?     In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Kristina Wald from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Wald shares findings from a recent research article published in Psychological Science, which shows that people often underestimate the benefits of talking about divisive topics, even with those who disagree. The conversation offers insights into why we prefer talking with those who agree with us, and how we can better approach polarized discussions.    If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org.    Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org 

Why do we gravitate towards friends who share our background and identity? How does this affect our sense of community and well-being?  In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Miguel Ramos from the University of Birmingham to discuss his recent study on social cohesion and well-being, published in Psychological Science. They dive into the concepts of homophily and heterophily, exploring how our preferences for similarity and diversity impact our social networks and overall happiness. Tune in as they discuss the implications of embracing diversity and what it means for creating stronger, more cohesive communities.    If you're interested in learning more about this research, visit psychologicalscience.org .    Send us your thoughts and questions at  underthecortex@psychologicalscience.org