apa.org

Despite the adage “seeing is believing,” what you see isn’t always what you get. Consider the viral dress photo of 2015 that split viewers into two camps: one who said the dress was white and gold and one who said it was black and blue. More than just a fun optical illusion, the phenomenon highlighted how multiple people can look at the same image or event and walk away with strikingly different interpretations. Such differences in perception can take on far greater weight when the stakes are high. To some viewers, police body camera footage can show blatant use of excessive force, while others watch the same clip and see an officer acting responsibly. Whose reality is the “real” one?

“When people hear the word depression, many people think (or) simply feel it means feeling sad, but depression is so much more than that. It is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it’s difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be,” said Kean. The veteran lawmaker had kept the reason for his absence private for months, saying he had underestimated how long his recovery would take.

No matter how it is defined, becoming an adult is a process. Psychologists think about this period, spanning roughly ages 18 to 29, in various ways, including young adulthood, late adolescence, and the transition to adulthood. But one term—emerging adulthood—captures something distinct: an extended period of exploration and uncertainty shaped by today’s social and economic realities.

Why do some ideas, products, news stories, and trends spread like wildfire, while others disappear? Jonah Berger, PhD, discusses the science of what catches on; the psychological forces that drive word of mouth, including social currency and high-arousal emotions like awe and anger; whether online and offline sharing differ; and what his research can tell us about the spread of misinformation.