
Christian Jarrett
Dr Christian Jarrett is a cognitive neuroscientist, science writer and author. He is the Editor of Psyche, the sister magazine to Aeon that illuminates the human condition through psychology, philosophy and the arts. Jarrett also created the British Psychological Society's Research Digest blog and was the first ever staff journalist on the Society's magazine, The Psychologist. He is author of Great Myths of The Brain and Be Who You Want: Unlocking the Science of Personality Change.
Recent articles by Christian Jarrett

Are psychopaths really that good at lying?
Are psychopaths really that good at lying? The research is clear

Why do I always walk into a room and forget what I’m doing?
Cognitive neuroscientist Dr Christian Jarrett explains the bizarre memory quirk

The simple ways you can change your personality, according to a cognitive neuroscientist
Want to become more confident, extroverted or assertive? Science shows that with a few simple changes, you can unlock your best self.

It’s time to change your relationship with dopamine
Going on a ‘dopamine detox’ probably isn’t going to boost your mood and focus.

'Active' optimists live longer, happier lives. Here's how to become one
Is manifestation pure pseudoscience or could there be something to it?

How many fathers are unknowingly raising children that aren't theirs?
A surprisingly common issue that is occurring around the world.

How does my brain create my sense of self?
Each of us experience profound changes across the course of our lifetime and yet, we still have a sense of being the same person

Here's what 'porn addiction' actually is (and how to manage it)
While a source of shame for some, there’s little hard evidence that X-rated sites are harmful or even addictive to regular users.

4 simple, science-backed ways to build habits that stick
Baby steps can make a big difference

Why Christmas with family overwhelms your brain (and how to cope)
Affective labelling and scheduled escapes: the psychological tactics you need for a merry (and sane) Christmas.

How stable is my personality?
Various studies have looked at how personality changes over our lives

How to beat social anxiety and actually enjoy your office Christmas party
A festive survival guide for those who’d rather hibernate

How should you talk to someone who has just lost a pet?
Just as with human bereavement, losing a pet can cause intense grief

6 science-backed ways to protect and improve your memory
Forgetfulness doesn't have to be an inevitable part of life

How should you talk to someone who has just lost a loved one?
When a loved one is processing grief, don't assume you know how they feel

How can I beat compassion fatigue?
If emotional exhaustion is dragging you down, here's what you can do about it

How to catch a pathological liar in the act
What’s different about the minds and personalities of prolific liars?

Good habits are life-changing: A psychologist's guide to hacking your brain's autopilot
Our lives are filled with habitual behaviours, both good and bad, but how do they form and how can we build better ones?

6 things I wished everyone knew about anxiety, by a psychologist
Here are the simple, science-backed ways of reframing your inner-demons.

AI therapy bots can be terrible. Unless you use these prompts
People are using AI chatbots as psychotherapists. We asked an actual therapist if that's a good idea

Is artificial intelligence giving us false memories?
It's only a problem that could get worse

We’re replacing babies with dogs. And it could be making us happier
While fertility rates in the developed world are falling, more and more of us are choosing to parent pooches

What is it like to die? The reassuring science of near-death experiences
They leave their bodies, witness a bright light and return forever changed. But do survivors of near-death experiences truly glimpse into the great beyond? New research into the brain's final moments could decode these visions at life's edge.

Does your name affect your physical appearance?
What's in a name? A lot, actually
