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  • Yicheng Hu, Xiaoyi Huang
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(1): 20-21.
    This article explores the phenomenon of "mental internal friction" prevalent among contemporary youth, defined as a state of overthinking and emotional fluctuation that causes physical and mental exhaustion without clear external triggers. Drawing upon psychological theories such as "limited self-regulatory resources," the article deeply analyzes four primary causes of this friction: social comparison triggered by social media, unhealthy perfectionism, decision fatigue resulting from excessive choices, and excessive rumination. Building on this analysis, the article proposes four practical strategies: setting time limits for rumination, prioritizing action over perfection, building authentic connections, and practicing self-acceptance. These strategies aim to help readers become aware of and regulate their psychological states, halt futile self-depletion, and rebuild psychological resilience.
  • Dou Mengqi
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(12): 36-37.
    This article explores the mechanisms of collective apologies in repairing relationships and obtaining forgiveness from a psychological perspective. It points out that collective apologies are more complex than interpersonal ones, with their effectiveness depending on multiple factors such as accountability, compensation measures, and the expression of remorse. The author analyzes the roles of structure, relationship, and identity in reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of non-verbal cues, moderate emotion, and the perception of "warmth," while warning against the potential negative effects of excessive expression. The article specifically elaborates on the view that "actions speak louder than words," indicating that substantive behavioral changes, timeliness, and concrete compensation measures are more effective in rebuilding trust than mere words. Finally, it concludes that an effective apology is not merely a verbal statement, but a systematic repair process involving the admission of responsibility, the correction of history, and subsequent interactions.
  • Shi Si, Su Shanshan
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 4-6.
    This article analyzes the deeper causes of children's procrastination from the perspective of neuropsychology, pointing out that procrastination is not due to laziness or attitude problems but is closely related to the development of executive functions in the brain. The article elaborates on the three core components of executive functions—inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility—and explores how deficiencies in these functions lead to difficulties in task initiation and delays in completion. Additionally, the article introduces the neurological mechanisms behind procrastination, including the overactivation of the limbic system in response to immediate rewards and the suppression of the prefrontal cortex's ability to plan long-term goals. To address children's procrastination, the article proposes a series of scientific intervention strategies, such as neural function training, cognitive-behavioral interventions, environmental optimization, timely reward systems, and collaboration between families and schools, to help children improve task execution abilities and reduce procrastination. Through systematic interventions, parents and teachers can better understand and support children, providing scientific guidance and effective assistance for their learning and development.
  • Chen Huiqing
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 27-28.
    This article explores the behavioral strategies and psychological motivations of contemporary youth on social media from a psychological perspective, analyzing the deeper reasons behind the contrasting phenomena of "polished social circles" and "unfinished lives." The article argues that by showcasing carefully crafted, idealized images on social platforms, young people satisfy their pursuit of the "ideal self" and alleviate the anxiety of real-life challenges through digital and instant feedback. Meanwhile, sharing authentic and imperfect aspects in private spaces becomes a vital way for them to relieve stress and affirm the "real self." By integrating Goffman's dramaturgical theory and Higgins' self-discrepancy theory, the article explains how young people manage their psychological state through front-stage impression management and backstage emotional release, identifying these behavioral strategies as proactive responses to societal expectations and self-identity anxiety. Finally, the article reflects on the contradictions of digital living, calling on young people and social media platforms to jointly explore healthier and more sustainable modes of digital existence.
  • Yang Aiping、Liang Yiming
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(1): 15-16.
    This article explores the psychological mechanisms through which traumatic experiences are transformed into creativity, a phenomenon known as "Post-Traumatic Growth" (PTG). It first introduces the four dimensions of creativity: fluency, novelty, creative activities, and creative achievements. Subsequently, based on a series of empirical studies, the article reveals two key psychological factors underlying the positive correlation between trauma and creativity: psychological resilience and psychological richness. Acting as a catalyst, psychological resilience primarily drives individuals to transform trauma into tangible creative activities and achievements. Meanwhile, serving as a bridge, psychological richness enhances the novelty and quality of creative outcomes by deepening individuals' understanding of and reflection on life. The research indicates that suffering does not lead solely to destruction; under the influence of specific psychological mechanisms, traumatic experiences can broaden an individual's psychological horizons, awaken dormant potential, and ultimately foster the emergence and growth of creativity.
  • Zhang Nina
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(12): 34-35.
    This article delves into the phenomenon of why individuals perceive time as passing faster as they age from a psychological perspective. It first distinguishes between the concepts of objective and subjective time, pointing out that subjective perception is influenced by cognition and emotion. Subsequently, it analyzes the psychological mechanisms behind this acceleration through three dimensions: the proportional theory of time, differences in brain processing caused by a reduction in fresh experiences, and the shift of attention from time itself to daily tasks. Finally, the author proposes concrete suggestions to slow down the subjective passage of time, including actively creating fresh experiences, practicing mindfulness to focus on the present, and recording life details, aiming to help readers regain a sense of control over time and increase the richness of their memories.
  • Shentu Yuan
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(12): 38-39.
    This article provides an accessible analysis of the "anchoring effect" in consumer psychology, revealing how merchants utilize preconceived price information to construct an illusion of "reasonable prices," thereby distorting consumers' value judgments. It elaborates on the psychological mechanisms behind this effect, detailing three manifestations: basic anchoring, semantic anchoring, and self-generated anchors, while also analyzing influencing factors such as decision-maker traits, anchor credibility, and situational complexity. Finally, the article offers practical advice for consumers, advocating strategies such as establishing independent value benchmarks, comparing prices across multiple channels, and setting cooling-off periods to avoid marketing traps and return to rational consumption decisions.
  • Rudy, Qiu Tian, Lu Jingyi
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 37-38.
    This article explores the formation mechanisms and psychological impacts of appearance anxiety in the social media era. It first points out that contemporary society continuously reinforces singular beauty standards through advertising and social platforms, transforming "becoming beautiful" from a personal choice into an implicit obligation. The article then analyzes from a psychological perspective that beauty standards are not fixed: at the physiological level, people prefer "average faces" and "symmetrical faces"; at the cultural level, aesthetic differences across regions and historical periods are vast; at the social movement level, initiatives like the "body positivity movement" are challenging the homogenization of mainstream aesthetics. The article further reveals how people reconcile the gap between their actual self and ideal self through consumer behavior, including using beauty filters to create visual illusions, conveying identity signals through consumption, and establishing a sense of value in other dimensions to compensate for appearance anxiety. Finally, the article calls on readers to face imperfections in the mirror, recognize that beauty standards can be redefined, and understand that self-worth should not be determined solely by appearance—true self-acceptance comes from the freedom of not being constrained by a single standard.
  • Zhou Yan
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(12): 23.
    This article traces the religious origins and historical evolution of the "Scapegoat Effect," elucidating its nature as a social psychological defense mechanism—specifically, the phenomenon wherein individuals or groups shift responsibility and negative emotions onto innocent third parties when facing setbacks. Through four typical modes of blame-shifting between groups and individuals, alongside historical and real-world cases, the article analyzes the concrete manifestations of this effect. Furthermore, by integrating the Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis, psychoanalytic mechanisms of displacement and projection, and Social Identity Theory, the article provides a deep analysis of the underlying psychological drivers behind the human tendency to seek "scapegoats," revealing the operational logic of this social psychological phenomenon that transcends time and space.
  • Wang Xiaochen, Hou Wei
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 46-47.
    This article introduces the PASS theory of intelligence proposed by Canadian psychologist J.P. Das and colleagues, which breaks through the limitations of traditional IQ measurement by understanding intelligence as a dynamic system composed of four cognitive processes: Planning, Attention, Simultaneous processing, and Successive processing. The article explains how these four processes work collaboratively: attention focuses on information, simultaneous processing integrates scattered information into a whole, successive processing handles information sequentially, and planning coordinates the overall system while flexibly adjusting strategies. The cognitive assessment system DN:CAS, developed based on this theory, can generate individualized cognitive profiles that precisely identify the root causes of learning difficulties. Through practical cases involving reading disabilities and mathematical difficulties, the article demonstrates how intervention programs such as PREP and COGENT are used for targeted training to help students enhance their cognitive abilities. The PASS theory of intelligence shifts the educational perspective from deficit judgment to developmental understanding, emphasizing that intelligence is a cognitive process that can be cultivated and optimized, providing a scientific basis for differentiated instruction.
  • Summer, Chen Yigen, Niu Yajie
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 29-30.
    This article analyzes the deeper reasons behind contemporary youth's enthusiasm for "Guzi" (derived from the Japanese word "グッズ" meaning "goods") consumption from a psychological perspective, exploring how digital technology has reshaped cultural consumption and influenced the psychology and behavior of Generation Z. The article points out that "Guzi," as a material extension of ACG (anime, comics, and games) culture, has become an important medium for emotional compensation, identity construction, and social restructuring among young people. Through merchandise such as badges and acrylic stands, young individuals project the ideal personalities of virtual characters onto themselves to alleviate anxiety and uncertainty in real life. At the same time, they accumulate subcultural capital and construct digital-era identity by collecting and showcasing rare "Guzi." By integrating psychological theories such as projective identification, operant conditioning, and identity status theory, the article reveals the emotional needs and social relationship reconstruction behind "Guzi" consumption. It also reflects on issues such as irrational consumption and social anxiety, calling on society to guide young people in building a healthier consumption ecosystem and fostering psychological growth.
  • Han Zikang
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 39-40.
    This article explores the common psychological phenomenon of "vicarious embarrassment"—the experience of feeling intense discomfort when witnessing others' awkward situations. The article first explains from a neural mechanism perspective how the brain "replicates" others' embarrassment through mirror neurons, and how the prefrontal cortex evaluates social risks and triggers warning responses. It then analyzes the causes of individual differences, pointing out that empathy ability, social sensitivity, and the degree of internalized social rules all affect the intensity of vicarious embarrassment. The article further elaborates from an evolutionary psychology perspective that this seemingly torturous feeling actually has important adaptive significance: it serves as an alarm for behavioral risks, helping us learn from others' mistakes; it acts as a stabilizer for maintaining social norms and enhancing group cohesion; and it cultivates our tolerance and empathy. Finally, the article provides four practical coping strategies, including redirecting attention, adjusting cognitive perspectives, managing emotional responses, and gentle post-event reflection, to help readers better deal with this discomfort.
  • Chen Xiang
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(12): 10-11.
    Using a first-grade primary school student as a case study, this article explores practical approaches to home-school collaboration in the cultivation of study habits for lower-grade students. Addressing issues such as a lack of classroom focus, homework procrastination, and low self-efficacy, the article incorporates psychological theories to elaborate on a communication mechanism featuring "immediate feedback plus regular review" and an intervention plan involving "behavior modification plus grade tracking." Through multidimensional strategies—including the implementation of a "star reward system" to reinforce positive behaviors, the utilization of family role modeling, and the provision of emotional encouragement from teachers—the student's self-control and learning initiative were effectively enhanced. The results indicate that scientific home-school collaboration can significantly improve student behavioral habits and academic performance, offering a valuable practical model for education in the lower grades.
  • Zhou Mi
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(3): 20-21.
    This article provides a systematic overview of the psychological concept of "growth mindset" from two perspectives: scientific research and educational practice. It begins by introducing the core concept of growth mindset, drawing on neuroscientific findings to reveal the physiological mechanisms through which it influences individual behavior. The article notes that individuals with a growth mindset show higher levels of activation in relevant brain regions when confronted with errors, making them more adept at transforming failure into learning opportunities. In terms of research paradigms, the article traces the field's shift from a binary framework toward a more multidimensional and context-sensitive approach, covering the nonlinear effects across different time stages, variations in effectiveness across learning domains, and the heterogeneity within growth mindset groups. On the educational application front, the article puts forward three key insights: approaching the scope of growth mindset's effects with a rational perspective, considering cultural adaptability within East Asian contexts, and respecting individual differences by building personalized developmental pathways. The article concludes by looking ahead to the potential role of artificial intelligence and big data in fostering growth mindset, emphasizing that precise and intelligent intervention represents a critical direction for the future of education.
  • Li Chuncheng
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(12): 44-45.
    This article provides an in-depth analysis of the "Uniform Effect" from a psychological perspective, defined as the psychological phenomenon of fear and obedience that arises when people face symbols of authority. The article first reveals the instinct of obedience to authority through the Milgram experiment and explains the survival adaptability of this reaction from the perspective of evolutionary psychology. Subsequently, combining Bourdieu's theory of symbolic violence and Freud's psychoanalysis, it explores how uniforms construct psychological authority through deindividuation, distancing, and the awakening of the superego. The article also analyzes the reinforcing effect of conformity and deindividuation on obedient behavior in group situations, while pointing out the positive value of moderate fear of authority for maintaining social order. Finally, the article warns against the dangers of blind obedience and urges readers to find a balance between reverence and autonomy. It suggests transforming instinctive fear into rational scrutiny through symbol awareness, critical thinking, and the cultivation of courage, to achieve mature moral judgments based on universal ethical principles.
  • Dai Zhiqi
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 16-17.
    This article explores the common manifestations of psychological crises among college students, the challenges faced during intervention, and optimization strategies. It points out that psychological crises in college students exhibit complex characteristics intertwined across physiological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions, emphasizing the need for colleges to move beyond the traditional "problem-response" intervention model. Addressing current challenges, the article analyzes issues such as blind spots in crisis identification, insufficient professional competence of counselors, and the lack of systemic support mechanisms at the institutional level. It proposes optimization strategies, including enhancing counselors' professional capabilities, establishing psychological crisis early warning mechanisms, and building a school-family collaborative intervention system. The article highlights that by improving early warning mechanisms, dynamically monitoring students' psychological states, integrating resources, and strengthening school-family collaboration, a shift can be achieved from "post-crisis intervention" to "proactive prevention." This approach aims to construct a more professional, systematic, and collaborative psychological crisis intervention system, providing scientific and effective support to safeguard the mental health of college students.
  • Fu Ruobing, Wang Yunqian, Lu Jingyi
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(3): 44-45.
    This article systematically analyzes, from a psychological perspective, the underlying reasons why co-branded products enjoy such strong consumer appeal. Using recent high-profile brand collaborations — including Luckin Coffee × Moutai, Holiland × *Harry Potter*, and HeyTea × Fendi — as entry points, the article identifies four key psychological mechanisms that drive consumers to purchase co-branded products: curiosity motivates consumers to actively explore the unknown experiences brought about by novel combinations; scarcity preference causes limited-edition products to be perceived as far more valuable, while simultaneously triggering a powerful fear of missing out; nostalgia transforms co-branded merchandise into a vehicle for awakening cherished memories and seeking emotional comfort; and social needs turn co-branded products into tools for expressing personal identity, establishing a sense of group belonging, and opening up social conversations. Building on this foundation, the article goes on to encourage readers to maintain rational self-awareness when making purchasing decisions, advising them to examine their genuine needs and motivations before buying, to distinguish between "truly liking something" and "not wanting to be left behind," and in doing so, to make more clear-headed consumer choices that are better aligned with their own values, even in the face of compelling brand marketing.
  • Hou Weihao, Liu Fan
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(3): 42-43.
    This article focuses on a psychological phenomenon that many people have experienced but may not be able to accurately name — "emotional rumination," the tendency to repeatedly replay embarrassing or distressing experiences late at night, becoming trapped in a painful cycle of thought. Drawing on multiple perspectives including evolutionary psychology and cognitive psychology, the article systematically explains four key reasons why the brain tends to "dredge up the past" at night: the negativity bias inherited from evolution, the self-magnifying effect of the spotlight effect, the unfinished obsession triggered by the Zeigarnik effect, and the withdrawal of rational defenses caused by reduced prefrontal cortex functioning late at night. In terms of coping strategies, the article offers four specific and actionable intervention approaches: interrupting habitual thought patterns with small actions, shifting to an observer's perspective, the "5-4-3-2-1" sensory grounding technique, and replacing emotional rumination with constructive reflection. The article concludes by introducing the concept of "self-compassion," encouraging readers to embrace their own imperfections, to view embarrassing experiences as marks of growth rather than stains on their life story, and in doing so, to truly make peace with themselves and find a way out of the cycle of rumination.
  • Zhang Xiujuan, Wu Min, Chen Guanghui
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(1): 33-34.
    Taking the concept of "overflowing love" as its entry point, this article delves into the "inverted-U" relationship between parental devotion and child development. It points out that while moderate parental input fosters growth, crossing the "optimal investment point" into excessive devotion can deprive children of their autonomy, trigger anxiety and dependency, and even strain parent-child relations. The article analyzes the psychological mechanisms behind this phenomenon, including control disguised as love, emotional blackmail stemming from expectation overload, conflicts arising from blurred boundaries, and the lose-lose scenario created by a sacrificial mindset. To address these issues, the article proposes a solution: shifting one's role from an "omnipotent steward" to a "growth coach." It advises parents to grant children ownership of their growth through strategic letting go, detach from utilitarian expectations, establish clear boundaries, and pursue personal growth. Ultimately, this approach aims to strike a balance between giving and guiding, fostering healthy development for both parent and child.
  • Tuo Yanyong
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(1): 28-29.
    This article explores the increasingly common phenomenon of "emotional muting"—a state of "emotional blunting" where people feel neither sad nor happy. It explains that this isn't necessarily depression or anxiety, but often an adaptive response to chronic stress, psychological defenses, cultural pressure, and our digital lifestyles, leading to a lack of joy and motivation. The author breaks down the causes from four angles: neurobiology, psychological defenses, social culture, and our digital environment. Drawing on the concept of neuroplasticity, the article suggests practical ways to reconnect with our feelings, such as practicing emotional awareness, finding joy in small things, accepting "negative" states, and building real relationships. The goal is to help readers recognize and understand this state, guiding them to gently reconnect with themselves and the world, and to seek professional help if needed.
  • Cheng Yande
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 7-8.
    This article, from the perspective of positive psychology, explores a psychological counseling case addressing interpersonal communication difficulties among adolescents. It uses the example of a 14-year-old girl to detail how various factors, such as poor physical health, tense family relationships, challenges in school adaptation, and negative life events, contribute to her interpersonal problems and emotional distress. Through psychological assessment, the article analyzes the physiological, social, and psychological causes and develops counseling goals and plans that include emotional regulation, resource exploration, and interpersonal skills training. During the counseling process, the psychologist employs techniques such as active listening, empathy, role-playing, and the use of OH cards to help the client alleviate depressive emotions, enhance self-awareness and psychological energy, and build her capacity to handle interpersonal relationships. The article concludes with reflections on the counseling process, emphasizing the importance of positive attention and artistic expression in psychological counseling, and proposes scientific methods to guide clients in discovering their inner resources, enhancing psychological capital, and improving interpersonal difficulties.
  • An Qilong, Xi Juzhe
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(1): 4-5.
    Through the real-life case of Xinxin, a senior high school student who emerged from the learned helplessness of "ineffective effort," this article explores the application of a strength-based perspective in psychological counseling. It analyzes the multiple factors contributing to her psychological crisis—including declining grades, self-negation, and intense family pressure—and demonstrates how the counselor guided her to break free from a singular evaluation system based on academic performance. By discovering non-intellectual strengths such as politeness, empathy, a sense of responsibility, and the willingness to seek help, she was able to rebuild her confidence. The article points out that through cognitive reframing, improved family communication, and teacher support, students can restore their sense of self-worth. Finally, it urges parents and educators to focus on students' diverse strengths rather than fixating solely on test scores, emphasizing that "recognizing strengths" is key to helping adolescents overcome psychological distress and achieve growth.
  • Zhang Qiang
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(1): 45-46.
    From the dual perspectives of evolutionary psychology and the development of productivity, this article delves into the "appearance dilemma" faced by contemporary high-achieving women. It points out that, in addition to the sociological imbalance of the "mating gradient," the root of the problem lies in an "evolutionary time lag." As women achieve economic independence and no longer rely solely on male resources, their instinctual demand for a partner's physical attractiveness and the feeling of "chemistry" has resurfaced. However, the long history of evolution has resulted in less pressure on men to compete based on appearance, leading to an insufficient "supply of good looks" in reality and triggering a conflict between rational mate selection standards and primal instinctual impulses. By analyzing this mechanism, the article advises readers to understand these evolutionary psychological roots, balance instinct with rationality in mate selection, and seek spiritual resonance and a long-term partner.
  • Zhao Hongrui, Lu Shi
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 25.
    This article explores the symbolic significance of mountaineering from a psychological perspective and its impact on individual psychological growth. It points out that mountaineering is not only an outdoor activity that brings people closer to nature and strengthens the body but also a dialogue between the mind and body. By analyzing the multiple psychological symbols of mountaineering, the article explains how it helps individuals achieve self-transcendence, break out of their comfort zones, pursue peak experiences, realize life goals, regulate emotions, maintain mental balance, and explore the self while breaking cognitive boundaries. Additionally, as a long-term practice, mountaineering contributes to cultivating perseverance, enhancing psychological resilience, and fostering a sense of purification and harmony with nature through deep engagement with the environment. The article emphasizes that the emotional experiences, metaphorical associations, and profound insights gained during mountaineering can deepen self-awareness, promote personal growth, and ultimately make mountaineering an important pathway for exploring life's possibilities and understanding oneself and the world.
  • Zheng Yanziqí
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(3): 26-26.
    This article centers on the psychological phenomenon known as the "Lipstick Effect," exploring why people tend to gravitate toward inexpensive, non-essential purchases during times of economic hardship or personal adversity. The article traces the historical origins of the "Lipstick Effect" to the Great Depression in the United States in 1929, and analyzes the underlying psychological mechanisms from two perspectives: compensatory psychology and the restoration of a sense of control — the former representing an instinctive form of self-soothing in response to life's pressures, and the latter reflecting the way people rebuild a sense of agency over their lives through consumer choices when they feel powerless to change their broader circumstances. The article goes on to note that, as society has evolved, the "Lipstick Effect" has expanded beyond inexpensive consumer goods to encompass a range of low-cost leisure activities such as budget travel, short-form video platforms, and online gaming, taking on a new form characterized by large scale, high frequency, and low spending. In its conclusion, the article addresses the question of whether the "Lipstick Effect" is simply a form of escapism, arguing that seeking one's own source of psychological comfort under pressure is a legitimate need for self-regulation, and encouraging readers to make good use of these personal "placebos" amid life's ups and downs, drawing from them the strength to face adversity.
  • Sun Tingting
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(12): 19-20.
    This article delves into the "matching effect" behind consumerism, known as the famous "Diderot Effect." It points out that people often fall into a chain cycle of consumption, constantly acquiring related items after obtaining a new one, which leads to irrational spending. Through classic cases, the article reveals the psychological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, such as the need for consistency, the Gestalt tendency, and social recognition. To avoid being enslaved by material possessions, the article proposes concrete strategies like distinguishing real needs, practicing minimalism, reconstructing value systems, and implementing strict financial constraints, aiming to guide readers to stay clear-headed, break free from unconscious consumption traps, and regain control over their lives.

  • Lin Zhi, Sun Qian
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(1): 21-22.
    Focusing on the prevalent issue of short-form video addiction among university students, this article provides an in-depth analysis of the "digital dilemma" and psychological mechanisms behind it. The author highlights that this addiction stems from a combination of factors: algorithmic inducement by platforms, the fragmented nature of the environment, and individual psychological needs—specifically emotional avoidance, the desire for belonging, and insufficient self-control. To solve this, the article introduces a three-pronged intervention system involving technological optimization by platforms, environmental improvements on campus, and individual psychological empowerment. Through recommendations for platforms to act responsibly, schools to enhance social settings, and students to adopt scientific emotional regulation and time management techniques, the piece aims to assist students in breaking the cycle of psychological dependence, reclaiming control over their time, and restoring a healthy, fulfilling life in the real world.
  • Zhang Qiang, Zhang Yixiao
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(3): 32-33.
    This article offers a systematic analysis of "love-brained" thinking — a widely circulated concept in contemporary Chinese internet culture — through the lenses of psychology and neuroscience. It begins by identifying three core manifestations of this mindset: emotional states that fluctuate dramatically in response to a partner's every reaction; a cognitive tendency to idealize the partner while falling into self-negation; and behavioral patterns in which a person sacrifices their own interests and even dignity in order to preserve the relationship. In examining the underlying causes, the article explores three dimensions: the neurological mechanism by which hormones such as dopamine, released during the early stages of romantic love, suppress the rational functions of the prefrontal cortex; the anxious attachment style formed in childhood, which intensifies one's dependence on a partner's validation; and the widespread absence of emotional education across family, school, and online environments, which further fosters the development of distorted attitudes toward romantic relationships. In response to these issues, the article proposes three practical strategies: cultivating self-awareness to apply the "brakes" on overwhelming emotions; rebuilding one's sense of self-worth to address the underlying deficit in feelings of security; and establishing clear personal boundaries within intimate relationships. The article's central argument is that healthy love should be premised on the preservation of one's sense of self, rather than purchased at the cost of losing it.
  • Xing Junhao, Dong Da, Yin Yating
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 31-32.
    This article analyzes the key scenes from the movie *Toy Story 4* to explore the phenomenon of animism in children's psychological development, which refers to the cognitive process where children attribute life to inanimate objects. Drawing on Piaget's theory, the article elaborates on the developmental stages of animism, from artificialism to moral necessity, then to projective identification, and finally to its replacement by physical determinism. Through the characters and events in the movie, such as Forky's creation, Woody's commitment to the mission of toys, Gabby Gabby's pursuit of a complete life, and Woody's ultimate choice, the article reveals how children use animism to construct their understanding of the world and gradually move away from this way of thinking as their cognition develops. Furthermore, the article reflects on the lingering traces of animism in the adult world, suggesting that this childhood mode of thinking ultimately transforms into our capacity for empathy toward the world and appreciation of art.
  • Authors: Sun Ruoyu, Zhang Jinkun
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(4): 44-45.
    This paper introduces retrieval practice, a scientifically validated efficient learning method, explaining that its core mechanism is to strengthen neural connections and resist forgetting by actively retrieving memory information. Based on a large number of empirical studies, it points out that it has the characteristics of universality (applicable to all age groups and cognitive levels), wide application scope (covering simple memory and complex knowledge), and high educational value (improving memory and metacognitive abilities). It shares practical application forms such as classroom tests, free recall, and concept mapping, clarifies the misunderstanding that "frequent testing causes anxiety", and emphasizes that low-risk retrieval practice can relieve test anxiety, providing a scientific teaching and learning optimization plan for learners and educators.
  • Huang Lu, Yang Yuran
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(1): 37-38.
    This article delves into the social psychological dilemmas faced by modern individuals in the digital age, dissecting the paradoxical transition from using "Do Not Disturb" as a self-defense mechanism to experiencing "digital loneliness." It points out that while technological features can alleviate cognitive overload, they may also impede genuine emotional exchange, resulting in the paradox of feeling lonelier despite being more connected. By analyzing the data-fication of social interaction, the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), and the alienating effects of "filtered personas" on intimate relationships, the article unveils the psychological mechanisms operating within this "digital siege." Finally, it offers practical psychological advice on establishing flexible boundaries, fostering deep interactions, and embracing solitude, aiming to help readers regain social autonomy and inner balance amidst the deluge of information.
  • Du Jingya
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(12): 26-27.
    This article delves into the psychological mechanisms behind the viral term "crispy college students," highlighting that this phenomenon is not merely playful self-deprecation but a psychological defense and distress signal from Generation Z in a high-pressure environment. The article analyzes the underlying causes of this psychological fragility from dimensions such as academic transition, employment anxiety, social challenges, and identity crises. In response, it proposes strategies for constructing a campus psychological immune system, encompassing a four-level early warning network, professional intervention, home-school collaboration, and resilience cultivation. The aim is to help the youth transform psychological crises into opportunities for growth, achieving a psychological evolution from "fragility" to "resilience."
  • Zhuang Shuying, Guo Liyue
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 33-34.
    This article explores the negative impact of screen exposure on early childhood cognitive development from the perspective of neuroplasticity theory. It begins by reviewing the 1963 visual deprivation experiment on kittens conducted by Hubel's team, revealing the importance of environmental stimulation during critical periods of brain development, and draws an analogy to the harm of excessive screen exposure in children. The article identifies three key characteristics of screen stimulation: fast-paced and high-intensity, passive reception, and relatively monotonous stimulation patterns. These characteristics interfere with the normal construction of children's brain neural networks, inhibit prefrontal lobe development, and weaken attention control and cognitive processing abilities. To address this issue, the article proposes two major strategies: age-specific management and real-world interaction compensation. It recommends that infants aged 0 to 18 months completely avoid screen exposure, while children aged 2 to 6 should limit daily screen time to within one hour. Meanwhile, it emphasizes promoting the establishment of diverse neural network connections in children through multi-sensory interactive activities such as outdoor activities, parent-child games, and parent-child reading, thereby ensuring the healthy development of their cognitive abilities.
  • Li Huiyi
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(12): 24-25.
    This article focuses on the social paradox of the digital age—"the more convenient the connection, the lonelier the individual"—and provides an in-depth analysis of the psychological dilemmas faced by Generation Z within social networks. It points out that excessive social comparison triggered by social media, the alienation of self-worth resulting from the quantified "like economy," and the physiological weakening of real-world emotional processing capabilities caused by virtual interactions collectively exacerbate loneliness and identity fragmentation. In response, drawing on psychological theories, the article proposes specific strategies such as digital detox and the rebuilding of deep connections, aiming to guide readers in reshaping a healthy self-identity and establishing authentic interpersonal relationships amidst the technological torrent.
  • Huang Xiaojun
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(3): 7-8.
    This article documents the psychological counseling process of Xiaozhe, a male high school senior who fell into moderate depression after being publicly criticized by his teacher and classmates, who mistakenly believed he was in a romantic relationship with a female classmate during his junior year. The article presents in detail how the counselor employed cognitive restructuring techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help Xiaozhe identify and loosen his absolutist thinking pattern of "those who do wrong must apologize." Using the analogy of "a teacher demanding that all students must master the material," the counselor guided Xiaozhe to shift from "must" to "perhaps," gradually helping him recognize that holding others to his own moral standards only leads to continuous self-exhaustion. After a single counseling session, Xiaozhe began to move away from the obsessive question of "why won't they apologize" and toward a mindset of "taking responsibility for himself." The article also points out that adolescents' strong desire for "fairness" is a key source of obsessive thinking, and that the core of psychological counseling lies not in solving problems for clients, but in helping them find the confidence and strength to reconcile with reality and regain control of their own lives.
  • Han Xiaoyu
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 40-41.
    This article uses eye-tracking technology to reveal the cognitive differences between Go experts and novices in situation assessment. The study found that novices exhibit "fragmented scanning," being attracted to areas with dense stone clusters, while experts conduct "systematic scanning," focusing on strategic areas with complex potential variations. This difference stems from the "chunking" knowledge structure that experts develop through long-term training, which compresses complex stone patterns into rapidly recognizable templates, effectively reducing cognitive load. The article proposes a "dual-system, three-stage" model, explaining how experts flexibly switch cognitive strategies according to different phases—opening, middle game, and endgame: during the opening, they rely on an automated system for efficient processing; in the middle game, they activate dual-system coordination to handle complex variations; and in the endgame, they deliberately slow down their thinking to pursue precise calculations. The research demonstrates that experts' advantages do not come from innate talent or ineffable intuition, but are built upon a scientific cognitive processing system. This finding not only provides direction for Go learning but also reveals the common patterns of progression from novice to expert across various fields.
  • Cai Dan
    Popular Psychology. 2025, 32(11): 44-45.
    This article commemorates the life and academic contributions of Professor J. P. Das, a renowned cognitive development and educational psychologist who passed away on October 19, 2025. Professor Das was a recipient of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, best known for establishing the PASS theory of intelligence and developing the Cognitive Assessment System (DN:CAS). The article traces Professor Das's academic journey from his studies in India to pursuing his doctorate under Eysenck in the United Kingdom, and eventually joining the University of Alberta in Canada in 1968. He transcended the limitations of traditional intelligence tests that focused solely on "outcomes" by proposing the PASS theory of intelligence, which emphasizes cognitive "processing," based on Luria's brain functional systems model. He also developed intervention tools such as the PREP (PASS Reading Enhancement Program) and COGENT (Cognitive Enhancement Training) curriculum. In his later years, Professor Das dedicated himself to exploring the nature of consciousness by integrating Eastern and Western wisdom, producing a prolific body of work with nearly 400 publications. The article also recounts his multiple visits to China for academic exchanges and his profound influence on Chinese scholars.
  • Shu Yueyu, LI Wucheng, LIAO Shuyi
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(2): 2-3.
    This article re-examines the essence of family aesthetic education from a psychological perspective, pointing out that the core of true aesthetic education lies in the "heart" rather than "art," and should not be limited to artistic skill training, but should focus on the harmonious experiences created through relational interactions among family members. Based on three theoretical foundations—attachment theory, humanism, and positive psychology—the article elucidates how secure attachment lays the foundation for relational beauty, how humanistic principles serve as the source of relational beauty, and how positive psychology infuses vitality into relational beauty. At the practical level, the article proposes four specific pathways: accepting every emotion of the child, respecting every opinion of the child, discovering the child's positive qualities, and creating an intimate family atmosphere. The article emphasizes that the goal of family aesthetic education is to promote individuals' authentic self-expression within harmonious relationships, cultivating individuals with inner harmony and complete personalities, ultimately extending this harmony from the family to broader social relationships and constructing a better world.
  • Chen Jiong
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(2): 32-33.
    This article focuses on the increasingly prevalent phenomenon of "emptiness syndrome" among contemporary adolescents. The article first defines the concept of emptiness syndrome, pointing out that its core characteristic is a loss of sense of value rather than emotional disorder. Although patients appear successful with excellent academic performance, they are chronically troubled by feelings of emptiness and meaninglessness, which is fundamentally different from depression. Through the real case of college student Lin Xi, the article vividly demonstrates the typical state of emptiness syndrome patients. In analyzing the causes, the article points out that a single grade-based evaluation system squeezes out space for value exploration, overprotection and utilitarian education deprive children of authentic growth experiences, and virtual connections on social media intensify spiritual loneliness. These factors work together during adolescence—a critical period for cognitive development—leading to children's inability to establish an internal value system. For prevention and alleviation, the article proposes three directions: building a diverse growth model to break the learning-supremacy mindset, strengthening values and life education in schools, and leaving blank space in children's growth to allow autonomous exploration. The article emphasizes that the essence of education is awakening, and calls on families, schools, and society to jointly create an inclusive and warm growth environment to help every child find their own life meaning.
  • Wan Qian
    Popular Psychology. 2026, 33(3): 16-17.
    This article examines the practical application of artificial intelligence in middle school mental health education. In response to the pressing realities of rising rates of psychological problems among middle school students and a severe shortage of qualified school counselors, the article systematically explores how AI technology can empower school-based mental health education across three dimensions: psychological assessment, curriculum development, and teacher professional growth. In terms of assessment, AI upgrades the traditional model of "static screening" to "dynamic early warning" through multi-source data collection and intelligent analysis, significantly improving both the accuracy and timeliness of crisis identification. In terms of curriculum, AI leverages content generation and personalized delivery to break away from the "one-size-fits-all" instructional model and achieve differentiated teaching. In terms of teacher support, AI helps alleviate the problem of insufficient professional resources by automating administrative tasks, providing immersive training experiences, and integrating home-school data. The article also emphasizes that technology is ultimately a tool, and that the core of mental health education lies in the emotional connection between people. It calls for the establishment of an ecological model built on "AI early warning — teacher-led intervention — home-school collaboration," while stressing the importance of upholding the principle of maximizing children's best interests in all technology-related applications.