Psychology

Humans

Could the menstrual cycle have shaped the evolution of music?

A new study suggesting that women select better musicians shows how women’s role in evolution is being redefined.

Psychology

That beard is only hot because it’s not cool

There’s more to facial hair than whether you can grow it. A new study shows that attractiveness increases when your style of facial hair is rare.

Psychology

Twenty-two emotions are written on our faces

People’s faces express at least 22 feelings – far more than the six emotions scientists previously recognized.

Psychology

Grief takes its toll

A person’s risk of heart attack or stroke is doubled in the month following the death of a spouse or partner.

Psychology

Your fear is written all over your face, in heat

Thermal images of bank clerks who’ve been robbed reveal a cold nose can be a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

Psychology

Newborns seem to relate space, time and numbers

Newborns zero to three days old seem to have the ability to relate the concepts of space, time and numbers of objects.

Psychology

How string quartets stay together

New data tracking millisecond-scale corrections suggests that some ensembles are more autocratic — following one leader —while other musical groups are more democratic, making corrections equally.

Psychology

Attractiveness studies are hot, or not

Studies that link attractiveness to other traits are often misinterpreted, including recent studies of nose bacteria and of cycling ability.

Psychology

The addiction paradox

Addiction is often seen as a chronic disease that requires maintenance treatment even after years of sobriety. But even without help, most addicts eventually can quit for good.

Psychology

Suicide rates drop in big cities

With more social connections, people may be less inclined to take their own lives.

Psychology

Beatles reaction puzzles even psychologists

From the February 29, 1964, issue: Psychologists are as puzzled as parents over the explosive effect the Beatles are having on American teen-agers.

Psychology

Lend an ear to science

Pop music hit maker Clive Davis knows a catchy song when he hears one. Now an app aims to define that elusive quality more concretely.