On The Best Posts of 2020
Well now! 2020 is finally coming to a close, and, despite some worrying trends, 2021 appears set to be the year when we see the beginning of a return to normal life.
In Toronto, we’ve just begun a second “hard” lockdown, so I thought what better time to cozy up by the fire (or space heater) and get down to some good reading.
With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the 5 best posts from Behavioural Sassonomics from the last year. If you find any of these posts interesting, or you learn something new, I’d be grateful if you would share this with someone you love.
On the Psychology of Your Harry Potter House
Far and away the top post of 2020, with over 12,000 pageviews and counting, was this examination of the psychology behind the Harry Potter house system.
Are you a Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Slytherin or Ravenclaw? Find out what your Harry Potter house really says about you in this January 2020 article.
On the Self-Isolation Survival Guide
As we here in Ontario head back into another period of lockdown, it makes sense to look back at this article, written in the early days of the first lockdown, for tips on how to support our mental health during self-isolation.
Try to stick to routines, concentrate on what you can control, and seek connection with loved ones in a safe way. If you prefer a visual layout, check out our infographic here.
On Virus Rebels and Covidiots
Remember Covidiots? The people who just couldn’t stay at home in the early days of the pandemic? Well apparently the word has entered common usage enough that the Oxford English Dictionary has now deemed it worthy of inclusion in its esteemed pages, along with other 2020-isms including ‘doomscrolling’ and ‘blursday’.
In this post I examine the psychology of why people are inclined to disregard the rules, despite the risk to their own health, amid the COVID pandemic.
On the Vulnerability Hangover
Written after my last in-person talk in February 2020, this post is all about the feeling of “oh my god what did I just do” after being vulnerable and sharing your experience. Termed the “vulnerability hangover” by Dr. Brene Brown, this article is all about what to do when faced with this feeling, and why it’s worth it to keep stepping into the arena.
On Hoarding Toilet Paper
Finally, no discussion of 2020 will ever be complete without at least some mention of the absolute insanity that gripped the world about toilet paper in the early days of the pandemic.
Did anyone actually run out of toilet paper? Why did seemingly rational people hoard toilet paper like it was Y2K all over again? What can behavioural economics and psychology tell us about the 2020 Toilet Paper Fiasco?
Find out in my March 2020 article, written after a particularly absurd visit to Costco at the height of the madness.
So there you have it! The best of Behavioural Sassonomics in 2020. Thank you so much for coming along with me as I explore the intricacies and absurdities of human behaviour. I hope you’re having a safe and restful holiday with the people you love.
See you in 2021!
Love,
