Tag Archives: psychology

New Publication: “Gendered Portrayals of Magic and Emotion in Popular Culture”

New in Psi Chi’s Psychology Pop Culture Corner!

Why do magical powers in stories so often seem tied to emotion—and why are those portrayals different for male and female characters? In this new article, I explore how films, television, and literature—including Harry Potter, Frozen, Wicked, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Stranger Things—connect emotion with supernatural power, and how these narratives often reinforce gender stereotypes about emotional expression and self-control. By examining these familiar stories through a psychological lens, the article highlights how popular culture can shape our beliefs about gender, power, and emotion, particularly for younger audiences.

Read the full article to see how fantasy may be reflecting much more than just magic: https://www.psichi.org/blogpost/987366/518559/Gendered-Portrayals-of-Magic-and-Emotion-in-Popular-Culture

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My Appearance on the Being a Fan of Disney: The Podcast!

Class #205 – A Psychologist Goes to the Movies with Dr. Alexander Swan

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Alexander Swan about a book he performed for Audible titled, A Psychologist Goes to the Movies and his CinemaPsych Podcast. We discuss how movies help teach about pyschology in and out of the classroom. Video of this visit is available at . I hope you enjoy and thank you for listening!

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MovieWeb Interview: Psychology of Horror Watching & Sinners!

If you’re interested in psychology and film (my CinemaPsych Podcast), check out this video interview from MovieWeb! While spooky season 2025 has ended, Sinners is still available to stream!

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A Psychologist Goes to the Movies — Releases on Audible!

Cover art for A Psychologist Goes to the Movies with Alex Swan, an Audible Original produced by The Great Courses. The orange design features a stylized movie theater with rows of seats facing a screen, the title in bold black text, the Audible Original logo at the top, and a banner indicating the title is available exclusively from Audible.

Movies have the astonishing ability to show us our world in a whole new light. They can help us understand tough concepts and even allow us to walk in someone else’s shoes. In particular, as Alexander Swan has discovered through his work with his students, movies can enlighten us about the workings of our own minds.

In the six lectures of A Psychologist Goes to the Movies, taught by Dr. Swan, you’ll see what films can tell us about the human mind, from the experience of amnesia to the ethics of psychological research and so much more. Featuring six movies from a variety of genres, styles, and periods, these lectures will give you the opportunity to explore the principles of psychology and consider fascinating neurological theories through the immersive magic of the silver screen.

From “Office Space” to “A Clockwork Orange” to “Inside Out,” the films featured in this course will demonstrate the inner workings of the mind in ways that will surprise and intrigue you. And not only will you probe these films for their psychological insights, but you’ll also gain a better understanding of the way movies achieve their vision through the lens of psychology and enrich your overall filmgoing experience.

©2025 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2025 Audible Originals, LLC.

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Appeared on Science Vs. Podcast! More MBTI Hating…

The media appearances and science communication keep on rolling… I was featured in Science Vs‘s podcast episode on Personality Assessment, as the guy with harsh things to say about the MBTI!

Check out this link for the transcript to find what I had to say!

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Filed under My Updates, Personality Assessment, SciComm