Could you miss a gorilla in a room full of people? It sounds impossible, but it happens more often than you might think, as documented in a famous psychological experiment. My latest column explores the gorilla experiment, and how we can be blind to the obvious when our attention is elsewhere.
We all know what it's like to walk into a room, fumble a word in a meeting, or trip in front of a crowd – and feel like all eyes are on us. But are they? My latest column explores the so-called spotlight effect, and how we are more likely to assume others are judging us when we're feeling anxious.