Psychology
- Psychology
Sometimes, happiness is for bozos
Despite its benefits, happiness and its pursuit has risks, as writer Bruce Bower describes in a humorous report from the recent meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
Stage set early for success, or failure
Youngsters who lack self-control tend to hurtle toward a harsh rendezvous with adulthood.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
Kids’ friendships sometimes illusory
A substantial minority of third to sixth graders think they're tight with a classmate who actually dislikes them.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
The write stuff for test anxiety
A brief writing exercise prompts higher exam scores for students struggling with academic stress.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
Lonely teardrops
Women’s tears appear to contain an odorless substance that, when sniffed, lowers men’s sexual arousal.
By Bruce Bower - Humans
Google project launches new field of culture study
An analysis of digitized books probes language change, collective memory and other cultural developments from 1800 to 2000.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
Face memory peaks late, after age 30
Striking an unanticipated blow for mature thinkers, 30- to 34-year-olds have the best face memory.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
Connected at church, happy with life
People who feel best about their lives combine religious identity with congregational friendships, a survey finds.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
Shared talking styles herald new and lasting romance
Verbally in-sync conversations may help to start and maintain dating relationships.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
Many unhappy returns for wandering minds
A cell phone–based survey finds that people frequently feel worse when their minds wander than when they focus on the moment.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
Aboriginal time runs east to west
Some indigenous Australians envision time moving westward, suggesting that culture shapes how people think about this basic concept.
By Bruce Bower - Humans
Weighing risks, convicts display blind spots
Prisoners often don’t appreciate likely gains or losses in making decisions, a finding with possible policy implications.
By Bruce Bower