Psychology

Reaching the End of a Task Makes People More Likely to Cheat

A study shows that when given a repetitive task and the ability to get away with cheating, people will be sneaky

Great apes, like us, react to a good scare.

Horror Films for Apes Are Teaching Scientists About Long-Term Memory

Eye tracking during scary shows helped scientists reveal that great apes can access memories of single significant events

This is your brain on science.

"Hidden Brain" Podcast Will Make You Think Twice About Your Unconscious Mind

In the new NPR program, correspondent Shankar Vedantam connects rigorous science with people's everyday experiences

Taste science ftw.

Winning Really Does Taste Sweet, Because Emotions Change Taste Perception

A study of hockey fans sampling ice cream may offer clues to the origins of emotional eating disorders

How hard is it to replicate results in psychology studies?

Scientists Replicated 100 Psychology Studies, and Fewer Than Half Got the Same Results

The massive project shows that reproducibility problems plague even top scientific journals

Six Children's Books That Use Psychological Techniques to Help Kids

The sleep-inducing "The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep" has become a mega bestseller. But it's not the only story to lean on psychology

Psychopaths Might Be Immune to Contagious Yawning

The less empathetic someone is, the less likely they are to yawn back.

Learning the value of sharing.

Want a Satisfying Sex Life? Try Being a Better Parent

Data suggest that splitting childcare duties often produces happier, more sexually satisfied couples

Fruit vendor in São Paulo, Brazil

Why Humans Love Things That Fit into Other Things

There's comfort in unexpected order

Search Engines Can Sway Undecided Voters

New research uncovers "the search engine effect" and its potential to influence election outcomes

A screenshot of the Tone Analyzer at work

IBM's Tone Analyzer Could Save You From Sending That Awkward Email

The new service, part of IBM's Watson artificial intelligence system, scans emails for emotions like cheerfulness or negativity

Climate change is raising the stakes for human conflict.

A Hotter Climate May Boost Conflict, From Shootings to Wars

In this episode of Generation Anthropocene, scientists explore the link between rising temperatures and aggression

Feeling Small in the Face of Nature Makes People More Generous

Awe, yeah

Coming to grips with our moral code.

How Time, Space and Authority Figures Influence Your Moral Judgment

A study of how people respond to outrageous acts suggests that our sense of crime and punishment is surprisingly flexible

The Science Behind Dogs' Goofy Greetings

Why do dogs go nuts when their owners get home? The answers lie in their DNA and brains

Broccoli is a common foe of finicky young eaters.

Young Picky Eaters May Be More Anxious and Depressed

Picky eating in kids is common but not always harmless—it may be a sign of longer-lasting psychological problems

Bully or Bystander? It Could Be in the Genes

New study says bullying may be nature, not nurture

Go Ahead, Wise Guy: Sarcasm Makes People More Creative

It’s science, duh

Hamsters seem to have a more optimistic outlook when they have access to creature comforts.

Hamsters Are Optimists When They Live in Comfy Cages

Pet hamsters that enjoy habitats full of toys and fluffy bedding make more upbeat decisions than those in stark enclosures

Even if they make a list, neurotic people may need to check it twice.

Being Neurotic Makes It Harder for You to Remember Things

Brain scans suggest that certain personality types are wired to have better memories

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