For my September 2nd Psychology Today post. In a classic television scene, a psychologist asks a thief why he steals. The answer is simple: “Because I want them.” This encapsulates crimes for gain, but what about the behaviors that seem to make no sense? Why would an individual engage in a bar fight or an…
Did you know that ancient historians once believed the mongoose would dive down a crocodile’s throat and gnaw its way out? It sounds like an epic battle, but it never actually happened. Yet, people swore they saw it. Why? Because the human brain prefers a compelling narrative over boring reality. In this new post, we…
Strange lights streaked across New Jersey skies, newsrooms erupted, and even the White House took notice, but every “drone” turned out to be something far more ordinary. Dive into how mass suggestion, media frenzy, and the quirks of eyewitness memory fueled a full-blown phantom invasion, and learn what this psychological puzzle means for spotting real…
In my latest addition to The Forensic View, I take a practical look at the hidden dangers of sleep deprivation among night shift workers—especially in law enforcement, healthcare, and emergency response. While our biology resists working through the night, survival may depend on adapting. This article explores how environmental “zeitgebers” like light, heat, and noise…
In my latest addition to The Forensic View, I explore how the same psychological principles that complicate criminal investigations, particularly the limits of eyewitness memory, can also distort our understanding of history. From the uncertain shade of PT-109 to the debated color of the USS Arizona, even the most basic historical facts become blurred by…
What happens when investigators become too focused on the wrong lead? In my latest addition to The Forensic View, I explore cognitive tunneling, a psychological phenomenon where stress and over focus narrow both visual and mental awareness, through the lens of the infamous Washington Sniper case. Learn how a single, inaccurate eyewitness report and the…
Serial killers captivate and horrify us in equal measure. The psychology behind their actions remains one of the most perplexing mysteries in forensic science. Why would someone continue a path of violence when capture is almost inevitable? What is it that overrides rational self-preservation? In my latest article, I explore a fascinating perspective—how deeply rooted,…
Repeated tests of eyewitness identifications can result in eyewitness errors and ultimately in wrongful convictions. Check out this month’s post of The Forensic View from Psychology Today to find out why. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-forensic-view/202412/dont-i-know-you-from-somewhere