Graeme Newell

Justified Cruelty

Justified Cruelty

Nazism, war, cyberbullying. Why do normally decent people enthusiastically line up to be the next to inflict brutal punishments on innocent victims? Dehumanizing out-groups is a powerful survival tool that was carefully crafted during our distant evolutionary past ...
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A Brain Science Hack to Help You Get to Agreement Faster

A Brain Science Hack to Help You Get to Agreement Faster

Just how good are we at guessing the motivations of others? New brain research has the answer...and it ain’t pretty ...
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Implicit Conditioning

Implicit Conditioning

Want to change a stubborn habit? Then you’ve got to treat your misbehaving brain like it’s a puppy. Most of us formulate a behavioral change strategy by mustering all the power of our RATIONAL brain ...
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How Risk Aversion Lures us to Misjudge Competitors

How Risk Aversion Lures us to Misjudge Competitors

It’s a business mistake that plays out over and over again. Risk Aversion gets us distracted ...
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Denomination Effect

Denomination Effect

Want to spend less and save more? Start carrying big currency in your wallet. Let’s say you’re making a $20 purchase. Here are two typical ways you could pay: ...
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What is the Ambiguity Effect? Understanding how Ambiguity Bias affects our risk tolerance.

What is the Ambiguity Effect? Understanding how Ambiguity Bias affects our risk tolerance.

Unfortunately, our brain craves certainty. It desperately seeks out the sure-fire win, even if it means we win less often. We choose the low-return investment because it has a guaranteed interest rate. We pick the guaranteed return policy at Nordstrom, ...
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Implicit Design

Implicit Design

Top-of-their-game corporate designers understand that they must answer this one question: “How do I want people to feel about THEMSELVES when they experience my design.” ...
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How Understanding the Locus of Control Can Help Teams Work Together Better

How Understanding the Locus of Control Can Help Teams Work Together Better

Why do people on teams tend to fight so much? Part of the reason is a curious psychological effect called the “Locus of Control.” This is a measurement of our belief in the following statement: “I determine my own destiny.” ...
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Halo Effect

Halo Effect

The HALO EFFECT is our brain’s little shortcut for efficiently remembering the zillions of people who parade through our lives. Unfortunately, all our brains are inherently lazy. So when our overtaxed cranium evaluates new people, it isn’t really looking for ...
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Reflexive Reaction

Reflexive Reaction

Most of us believe our conscious brain carefully guides our path. We reassure ourselves that subconscious desires are subservient to our all powerful reason. But brain research shows it’s the exact OPPOSITE. At least 85% of our choices are completely ...
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