Every day researchers discover new things about human psychology, from simple facts to discoveries that will blow your mind. For example, what are the psychological secrets of attraction? What are the rules of psychological power? These questions go directly to the core of the human experience.

Some discoveries reveal uncomfortable or depressing truths about human nature. For example, a 2020 study in the journal Frontiers in Psychology explains why and how people are programmed, under certain circumstances, to enjoy others' misfortune and pain, a phenomenon known as schadenfreude.

Not all psychological discoveries are the bitterness of our view of human psychology; many discoveries restore our faith in humanity and remind us how amazing people can be. A recent study found that acts of kindness in an indoor environment really do pay off. If you are kind to others, there is a good chance that they will reciprocate.

Other profound discoveries explain the quirks that make us human, finally making sense of ideas and experiences we never understood. Why do some people like horror movies even though, on some level, they fear for their lives? Why does watching someone yawn make you yawn too? These questions and many others have captured our popular imagination for years, leading many experts to investigate exactly why we do the things we do.

However, their findings do not always coincide with general or widespread consent. In some cases, what they discover opens our eyes to discoveries and phenomena with profound implications for our daily lives. For example, a group of researchers recently found that deep and regular sleep can prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.

In this video, we'll cover fifteen fascinating facts taken straight from the pages of leading psychological research. If you've ever wondered why you do the things you do or where your preferences come from, you'll want to stick around because these surprising psychological discoveries may finally provide the answers you never knew you needed.

Like discoveries in any field, it's hard to say whether we know or understand the full picture of our psychology, but these discoveries make one thing clear: there are still many fascinating discoveries to be made. With these fifteen surprising psychological facts, we're just scratching the surface.

1. Dark attraction

What kind of personalities are people most attracted to? According to a study from the University of Washington, we're surprisingly drawn to dark or evil personality traits. Although they are often associated with narcissism and psychopathy, for many people there is something irresistible about them. Fortunately, this correlation is not as self-defeating as it sounds. We are drawn to dark personalities not because they are evil, but because these individuals present themselves with greater than average confidence and charisma. They are attractive on the outside, but when we scratch beneath the surface, dark personalities begin to lose their charm.

2. Knower

Do intelligent people know how smart they are? Surprisingly, people of above average intelligence often underestimate their own intelligence, rating themselves as less capable than average. Interestingly, the opposite is true for people on the lower end of the spectrum. If you know someone who thinks they know everything, there's a good chance they don't.

3. The magnet paradox

Attraction rarely works the way we expect it to. For example, if you like someone you like, your sudden interest may turn them off. This phenomenon is known as the Magnet Paradox. Normally, if person A likes person B, you would expect their mutual interest to attract each other, but often the opposite is true. Like the poles of a magnet, people are drawn to people who show less interest in them. If you're too pushy, you'll push people away. But if you back off and put some distance, they might come back.

4. Mind reading through sarcasm

Let's get one thing straight... no one can read minds, but some people come pretty close. If you're one of those people, there's a surprisingly simple way to find out. Just think about your sense of humor. People who like to be sarcastic or joke with others are usually gifted at reading other people's minds. You may not realize it, but your wry sense of humor makes you more perceptive than most.

5. Visions of the Passion

Before you fall asleep at night, someone's face sometimes pops into your mind. Maybe it's your partner or your best friend. Maybe imagine the sour face of your boss or co-worker you just can't stand. But do these dreams and visions mean anything? The person you imagine just before you fall asleep can play an important role in your life, although it's not always positive. The person who comes to your mind in your last waking moments is either a great source of joy...or a great source of stress and anguish. Depending on who you're thinking about, it can be a little bit of both.

6. Flat Bias

Do really beautiful people have an easier life than the rest of us? The simple answer is... yes. Conventionally attractive individuals are likely to be rated highly in other categories by their peers. For example, if you find someone attractive, you are more likely to trust them, regardless of whether they deserve it. The opposite is true for people we find unattractive. If someone is conventionally unattractive, many people assume that they are also unreliable and unintelligent. Flat bias isn't always fair, but that's how our brains work.

7. Recipe for Happiness

Do you know someone who is always rushing from one place to another? You might think, "oh, their life seems miserable." It's true that busy people tend to live happier and more fulfilling lives. This is not because they are richer or more successful, but because they spend less time worrying about what could go wrong. People who have too much free time are prone to more anxiety and overthinking, often overthinking their goals and decisions. So when you're stressed, find an activity to occupy your mind.

8. Terror of Thinking

How often do you spend time just thinking? A surprising number of people are afraid to be alone with their thoughts. According to a 2014 study, most people would rather endure a small electric shock than spend fifteen minutes in quiet contemplation.

9. Unconscious Demotivation

Do you explain your goals to everyone you meet? Studies show that people who talk about their goals are less likely to achieve them. Sharing your goals gives you a small unconscious reward as if you have achieved much more than you have. Until you achieve your goal, keep it to yourself. That way, when you reach your goal, you've earned your reward.

10. Placebo Productivity

When you're feeling lazy and ineffective, it's easy to fall into a negative mood. When this happens, many people become unreasonably motivated, usually hampered by feelings of pessimism and hopelessness. What if there was an easy way to turn things around? It turns out that negative moods are not as pervasive as they seem. Most people don't realize that our moods and mental states are surprisingly shaped. If you convince yourself that you are lazy, things will never improve. You will continue to feel lazy. But if you change your approach, you can change your mental state and build motivation in no time.

11. Disorder of Sunlight

How much time do you spend outside each day? On average, experts recommend at least 20 minutes outside per day. During those 20 minutes, your body needs sunlight that contains vitamin D, an essential vitamin that supports bone growth, reduces inflammation, and strengthens your immune system. While vitamin D is good for your physical health, it also plays an equally important role in your mental health, especially your mood and mental state. Studies show that low sun exposure reliably predicts unhappiness, laziness, and even mood disorders like depression. In general, the less time you spend outside each day, the more likely you are to feel sad and down. So, step outside; even a few minutes a day can make a difference.

12. Unjust Contradictions

Most people are not capable of judging their own mistakes fairly, but we are even worse at judging the mistakes of others. A recent study shows that people are ready to condemn the failures of others even if they made the same mistake only moments before. Worst of all... many participants showed little awareness of their own hypocrisy.

13. Symptoms of a healthy mind

Are you a sarcastic person? There are surprising benefits to practicing sarcasm. Most people don't realize that sarcasm requires considerable intelligence and nuance. Making or even understanding a sarcastic comment can be an exercise in creative thinking. Yes, sarcasm can be harsh and hurtful, but it's also a sign that your mind is sharp and healthy.

14. Pattern recognition

People automatically look for patterns in the world around them. For example, when you see two things grouped together, you see them as a pair. If you come across three things evenly spaced, you might imagine a triangle between them. The human brain is programmed to interpret the world in patterns - a fact you can use to your advantage. If you want people to pay attention to something, use patterns to direct their attention from one point to another. By leaving space between objects or grouping them into groups, people will understand you more clearly and experience you as a compelling person.

15. The truth about multitasking

Are you an effective multitasker? More than 70% of people think they are good at balancing unrelated tasks, but most people's brains don't work that way. Research shows that a paltry 2.5% of people can effectively multitask. For most of us, doing two or more tasks at once does not improve our productivity. In fact, for most people, multitasking significantly reduces their effectiveness. Unless you're part of that 2.5%, you're better off doing one task at a time.