Psychology

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

A veteran visits the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1988.

Over a Quarter-Million Vietnam War Veterans Still Have PTSD

Forty years after the war's end, twice as many vets with combat-related PTSD are getting worse as those who are improving

Real-life Vampires Exist, but They Are Scared to Admit Their Practices to Doctors

Even vampires need non-judgmental help sometimes

People Who Bring Their Own Grocery Bags are More Likely to Buy Junk Food

It’s all about perceived virtue

Roses mark a window filled with bullet holes after a shooting spree in Denmark.

Shootings and Mass Murders Seem to Be Contagious

Data spanning decades shows how high-profile events can cause outbreaks of similar killings that mirror the spread of disease

The U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 to legalize marriage equality nationwide on June 26.

Can Science Help People Unlearn Their Unconscious Biases?

Social events, sleep training and even meditation may offer ways for people to erase biases they probably didn't know they held

Smelling a Fish May Improve Critical Thinking Skills

New research shows that gross smells can foster a healthy sense of distrust

A new campaign encourages fireworks enthusiasts to be courteous with their explosions this 4th of July.

For Veterans' Sake, Make A Little Less Noise With Your 4th of July Fireworks

Fireworks can trigger PTSD in some veterans, and one organization is trying to raise awareness

Joyable helps individuals address different situations that trigger social anxiety.

There is Now a 12-Week Online Program for Overcoming Social Anxiety

Two Stanford graduates are the brains behind Joyable, a startup that pairs users with coaches to tackle social challenges

People Get Seasonal Depression in the Summer, Too

Millions suffer from SAD in summer as well as winter, and evidence hints that birth season plays a role in who develops the disorder

Fermented foods, like pickles, may influence social anxiety levels — though it's unclear exactly how and why.

A Pickle a Day May Keep Your Anxiety at Bay

Fermented food appears to calm the nerves of the socially challenged

These 15th-century female musicians are clearly in grave medical danger.

Some 19th-Century Physicians Thought Music Could Infect the Brain

When it comes to music in the brain, medicine has come a long way

A prison cemetery in Huntsville, Texas, where many executed inmates have been buried.

Support for the Death Penalty May Be Linked to Belief in Pure Evil

People who think evil exists in the world are more likely to demonize criminals, regardless of their character traits

Atheists Remind People of Death

New research shows that atheists trigger death-related thoughts

When People Want an Upgrade They Tend to Break and Lose Their Old Gadgets

Researchers call it the "Must-Have Effect"

A person looks at profile photos on the messaging app Momo in Shanghai.

Your Online Dating Profile Picture Affects Whether People Trust You

Attractiveness is linked to trust, but the responses are very different between men and women

10 New Things Science Says About Being a Mom

Such as, how much time she spends with her child doesn’t matter as much as we think

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