Cognition
You Don’t Have to Start Young to Be a Great Musician
A new study refutes the idea that there is a critical learning period in childhood
Stories by Cindi May
Behavior
We Must Reduce the Trauma of Medical Diagnoses
If a diagnosis is not delivered with care, it can form an intense “flashbulb memory”
Cognition
Does Music Boost Your Cognitive Performance?
The answer depends on your personality
Medicine
Some Relief for Test Anxiety Is Found in an Unusual Treatment
Students were given placebos and told they were placebos, yet the intervention helped
Behavior
How Curiosity Makes You Crave
The odd connection between a cliff-hanger and a candy bar
Behavior
Life Advice: Don’t Find Your Passion
Study suggests meaningful work can be something you grow into, not something you discover
Behavior
What Is Less Scary in the Dark?
There is a way that the dark makes us feel safer—and this has implications for our health
Behavior
The Problem with "Learning Styles"
There is little scientific support for this fashionable idea—and stronger evidence for other learning strategies
Behavior
How to Reconcile with a Romantic Partner
Study suggests the best strategy depends on gender
Mental Health
Mindfulness Training for Teens Fails Important Test
A large trial in schools showed no evidence of benefits, and hints it could even cause problems
Behavior
Are Women More Emotionally Expressive Than Men?
A large multinational study provides some surprises
Behavior
Students are Better Off without a Laptop in the Classroom
What do you think they’ll actually use it for?
Behavior
Most People Consider Themselves to Be Morally Superior
A "self-enhancement" effect that can have negative consequences for all of us
Cognition
How to Measure the Creativity of a 1-Year-Old
The Unusual Box test—and what it means
Behavior
Why People Try Repulsive Things
The surprising power of curiosity
Mind & Brain
A Scientific Theory of Humor
The “entropy” of nonsense words is linked to their funniness, research finds
Mind & Brain
Rude Behavior Spreads Like a Disease
Scientists study the contagion of obnoxiousness
Mind & Brain
What It Takes for a "Beast" to Find a "Beauty"
The longer people know each other, the less physical attractiveness seems to matter
Behavior
The Problem with Female Superheroes
From helpless damsel to powerful heroine, but still hypersexualized
Mind & Brain
The Secret of Better Meetings: Fun
Humor boosts the effectiveness of meetings, a study finds
