The CDC website now says: “The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim....” I summarize the relevant evidence at community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc.... You can decide if, like me, you find the evidence amply persuasive that vaccines do NOT contribute to autism.

For teachers and school administrators, some evidence-based, practical advice for boosting student achievement (from my Social Psychology co-author, Jean Twenge). www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...

For psych teachers...and anyone else who might enjoy: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t... or open.spotify.com/episode/4Z6t...

How do you suppose the global homicide rate has changed over the last quarter century? (Hint: Another example of good things happening in our seemingly depressing world.) data.worldbank.org/indicator/VC...

Our AP Psych text on PBS News Hour tonight...in a segment on books banned in Department of Defense schools...for our coverage of gender and sexuality (coverage that honors the College Board AP course guidelines).

For any psych teachers/podcast listeners: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t... (also available at open.spotify.com/episode/6XYc... )

In our world, and perhaps in your life, there’s much to be distressed about. But there’s also, I suggest from research on human resilience, some good news for you. See if you agree… community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

Teaching colleagues (& other friends), To start the new academic year, I offer some fun examples of the playful thoughts that season my text writing. community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

With explanations for the autism increase conjectured at the White House yesterday, with promise of more to come from RFK Jr., some might be interested in the pertinent research (which I summarized earlier this summer): community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

My 2 cents on the wonder of hearing, the gifts of not-hearing, and the gaffes and humor of mishearing. THE MARVEL OF HEARING--AND THE BLESSINGS, AND MISHAPS, OF NOT-HEARING David Myers Thanks to our eyelids, we can... Some of us also have “earlids.” community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

For psych teachers ... a nice example of the availability heuristic in operation...people judging reality by easily available images of horrific happenings, rather than data. Anecdotes>Statistics.

James Maas has died, at 86. Jim taught more than 65,000 intro psych students at Cornell, in an 1800-seat hall. He also wrote/spoke widely on sleep. Each November, for some 15 years, I flew to Ithaca to speak to his class and spend time with Jim and his students. He was a great encourager and friend.

For psych teachers: A nifty figure-ground example.

Does seasonal affective disorder—aka wintertime depression—exist? Or is misery a year-round malady? I shine some big data light on the supposed seasonality of sadness. I’m curious: Do you, too, find the data persuasive, or at least suggestive? ow.ly/iUhj50Wio3U

A gentle reminder as we process protest images this week: Human judgment is easily hijacked by memorable graphic images, such as a burning LA Waygo car, that get replayed over and again. Psych students know the phenomenon as the “availability heuristic” (judging reality by easy-to-picture examples).

“Autism Epidemic Runs Rampant,” declared a recent HHS release. Has there actually been an epidemic-level increase in autism rates? Might vaccines be involved even in a small way? For my 2 cents, see community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

Depressed by today's politics and environmental destruction? Then perhaps treat yourself to 10 minutes of good news (from www.ted.com/talks/angus_...) or sign up for the weekly www.fixthenews.com newsletter.

What are the arguments for and against today’s new “color-blind” policies? I review some pertinent research. community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

We often fear the wrong things, partly by feeling anxious when not in control (as when on a low-risk airline flight vs. driving). Likewise, Waymo robo taxis may feel scarier. But compared w/ human drivers have about 90% fewer property damage and injury claims. storage.googleapis.com/waymo-upload...

Social connections boost happiness. Yet adults—especially older adults—are spending more time alone. So, I wondered, does communal senior living enhance late-life well-being? community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

For more than 40 years I've lived one block from my city's (Holland, MI) gathering place for assorted small protest gatherings. Today's HandsOff assemblage is multiplies anything previously seen, with streets parked up for blocks around and passing cars tooting their support.

More evidence re: teen/young adult mental health decline. In 2004, 48% of 18- to 29-year old U.S. women told Gallup their mental health was “excellent," as did 15% in 2024. For same-age men, the drop was from 49% to 33%. For folks over 50, little change. Source: news.gallup.com/poll/658082/...

Today is the 83rd anniversary of the last use of the Alien Enemies Act, as the WWII exclusion of Japanese Americans began on my home island. For two social psychological lessons from this history, which are applicable to today's happenings, see community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

With grade inflation, high school GPA is less predictive of academic success—thus increasing admissions use of extracurricular activities, coached essays, etc. that advantage upscale students. Now, as I report, standardized tests are making a comeback. community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

Some evidence and my 2 cents on the happy power of social connections, from micro relationships to friendships to friendships sealed with commitment (aka marriage, and for both straight and gay folks). ifstudies.org/blog/shared-...

I'm reading many comments from outraged folks these days (you, too?, and perhaps you're feeling it?). The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu found a silver lining in such: “We are made for goodness. Why else do we get so outraged by wrong?”

“Autism in American children has skyrocketed,” says an HHS rep, explaining the CDC's undertaking more research on the oft-debunked claim of a vaccine-ASD link. Or is the increase partly a growing labeling of children with communication difficulties? community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

Although increasing social malnutrition starves our pursuit of happiness, there, I believe, practical strategies for nourishing our human connections and replenishing joy. community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

Some reflections on the teaching of psychology in today's political environment: www.psychologicalscience.org/publications...

It's a familiar social psychological lesson: External threats and shared predicaments promote group unity. www.yahoo.com/news/ukraini...

The much-discussed youth well-being decline is global. www.nber.org/papers/w33415

Bewildered by the U.S. presidential outcome? The psychology of how we explain the good and bad events of our lives helps explain why voters elected change. community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

For more on the WWII exclusion, from where it all began--and some social psychological lessons being reenacted today, see community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

For us Bainbridge Islanders, the proposed U.S. mass immigrant exclusion evokes memories of a prior mass exclusion—and a reminder of psychological lessons concerning misplaced fears, and the benefits of social contact. A story worth retelling: community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationa... An inspiring example of self-giving humility

Needs some good news to cheer you up at the end of 2024? fixthenews.com/86-stories-p...

For psych instructors--a nice example of size-distance misperception, supported by perceptual set (from media publicity) to see distant planes as closer drones? www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/u...

Psychological science continues to amaze me, most recently with evidence of a stress-free (unconscious!) cure for phobias . . . as I explain in a new essay: community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/talk-psyc...

Psychological science sheds some insight on a natural cognitive bias that fed election-relevant misinformation. t.co/HqZdNCQnDE None of us are immune . . . as some examples make clear.