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Melissa Hughes
May 1, 20235 min read
Do our Names Shape our Lives?
Studies show we gravitate toward occupations and lifestyles that fit our names.It sounds incredibly narcissistic, but the research is clear.


Melissa Hughes
Apr 13, 20233 min read
So, You Say You're Not Biased?
Most of us would like to believe we are not biased. The question is not "are you biased?" but rather "HOW are you biased. Bias blind spot


Melissa Hughes
Apr 1, 20233 min read
Those Invisible Forces that Make Us Predictably Irrational
As incredible as the brain is, it’s also incredibly flawed. We all have biases that make us irrational, and they are completely predictable.


Melissa Hughes
Feb 8, 20235 min read
The IKEA Effect: Why We Overvalue Our Own Work
The IKEA effect is a fascinating aspect of our psychological wiring and explains how we tend to place more value on things we make ourselves


Melissa Hughes
Jan 13, 20233 min read
The Power of "People Like Me"
There is a secret to becoming more likable and it's remarkably simple.
Psychologists call this phenomenon the "reciprocity of liking."


Melissa Hughes
Jun 24, 20223 min read
Inquiring Minds are Smarter... and Happier!
Whether you define happiness as a state of being or an emotion, research shows that our happiness is directly correlated with curiosity.


Melissa Hughes
May 27, 20227 min read
Why Facts Backfire
The most vocal defenders of any position are usually the least willing to consider a different point of view. There are 3 biases to blame.


Melissa Hughes
Apr 8, 20223 min read
The Power of Psychological Anchors
Psychological anchors are powerful influences over our decisions and perceptions. They are everywhere and we rarely even notice them.


Melissa Hughes
Mar 17, 20214 min read
How Cognitive Bias Tricks the Mind
We'd all like to think that we are rational thinkers and decision makers all the time. As amazing as the brain is, it's also very flawed.


Melissa Hughes
Feb 25, 20213 min read
Compared to What? The Power of the Contrast Effect
Contrast effect is an unconscious bias that happens when two things are judged in comparison to one another, instead of individually.


Melissa Hughes
Sep 3, 20204 min read
The Framing Effect: It's not what you say, it's how you say it
There is a wealth of research that shows how the way information is framed significantly influences our perception of it.


Melissa Hughes
Aug 19, 20204 min read
Fundamental Attribution Error: Why We Judge Others Unfairly
Do you ever cut yourself a break while holding others 100 percent accountable? It's fundamental attribution error and we all do it.


Melissa Hughes
Nov 14, 20192 min read
The Science of Super Bowl X
While the Cowboys and Steelers were fighting for Super Bowl X, researchers were studying the fans and discovered something fascinating.


Melissa Hughes
May 17, 20187 min read
4 Invisible Forces that Cripple Team Dynamics
The human brain processes over 1,000 bits of data per second. It's not surprising that it takes shortcuts. They're called cognitive biases.


Melissa Hughes
May 7, 20183 min read
5 Ways to Beat Bias in the Workplace
Recent research now identifies how these biases impact team dynamics and group decision-making and can even sabotage team success.