Psychology

Advertisement
A scene from Midsommar, starring Florence Pugh, about a couple drawn into a cult. The psychological scars of a coercive religion can take years to heal.

I escaped a cult – for years I didn’t even realise I was in one

I have long hidden the shame that I was gullible enough to be lured into such a group. The perception that people in cults are different from the rest of us needs to be challenged.

  • Ahona Guha

Latest

How have Nikol Moses (right) and Alana Goldab (left) kept their years-long friendship alive? Shared effort and a healthy dose of memes.

How to lose friends (and why it’s worth trying to keep them)

In the midst of a loneliness epidemic, focusing on keeping the friends you already have is often forgotten. Here’s how to keep the flames of friendship burning.

  • Nell Geraets

Chase joy, and eight other life lessons I live by

A recent birthday prompts me to share the wisdom I’ve acquired over 55 years on the planet.

  • Jessica Rowe
Tetris swept the world after being invented by a Soviet engineer in 1985.

I turned to Tetris after my father died – then something strange started happening

When I was 15, around the time my dad died, I became addicted to Tetris. The game has been found to help treat PTSD, but there can be weird side effects.

  • Tom Gurn
The jury is out on whether the fictional Wednesday Addams is a sociopath, although she does display several classic traits.

Sociopaths walk among us but could you spot one? The seven traits to look out for

As our understanding of the personality disorder continues to grow, so too does the inclination to label anyone with anti-social tendencies a sociopath. Here are the signs you might be on the right (or wrong) track.

  • Jenny Tucker
Blue West has an AI generated image on his phone homescreen to remind him to be himself.

What does your lock screen photo say about you? More than you think

When Travis Kelce shared a photo with his phone in view, it set the internet alight with speculation about his relationship with Taylor Swift. But when Donald Trump’s lock screen went public, the reaction was very different.

  • Shona Hendley
Advertisement
Courtenay index pic

‘My father cheated on Mum’: Adam Courtenay on his famous dad

Bryce Courtenay was one of Australia’s most celebrated authors, but his son paints a more complicated picture of the man.

  • Robyn Doreian
Ricky Gervais has become known for his ability to offend on stage, but it’s a very different experience for most in the real world.

Have I offended you? Why it can be good (and bad) to take umbrage

Why are some people so easily offended? Is it a bad thing? More significantly, what do you achieve by taking offence?

  • Shona Hendley
Joslyn Cataldo 39yrs (left) and Rachel Hartney 33yrs (right) share a passion for true crime stories.

‘We are so into it’: Why do so many women love true crime?

Erin Patterson’s fellow enthusiasts called her a “super sleuth”. But why do so many women enjoy true crime stories? Is it possible it’s not good for you?

  • Mercedes Maguire
David Bowie’s ability to reinvent himself and stand apart from the crowd made him the epitome of cool.

Why are some people cool and others, well, not? The six traits that make you stand out from the crowd

A new study reveals beliefs around what makes someone cool are almost universal, no matter where you live.

  • Christina Caron