Family Traditions Boost Happiness
The holidays can bring joy or dread, but family rituals make them enjoyable, research suggests
Stories by Matthew Hutson
Bad First Impressions Are Not Set in Stone
People are more willing to change their mind about people they initially deem “nasty” versus those they deem “nice”
Honest Liars: Dishonest Leaders May Be Perceived as Authentic
Donald Trump’s election suggests supporters view an outsider’s lies as symbolic protests against the establishment
Artificial Intelligence Is Learning to Keep Learning
A new machine-learning technique mimics the brain’s ability to adapt to new circumstances
Facebook Use Linked to Gender Equality
Social network activity may reduce the male-female power imbalance
Wealthy Families Invest More in Sons
High-income parents spend more on blue backpacks than pink ones, research suggests
Why People Dislike Really Smart Leaders
Those with an IQ above 120 are perceived as less effective, regardless of actual performance
How Much Sacrifice Is Your Reputation Worth?
People would rather endure jail, death or a bucket of worms than be viewed as immoral
In-Person Requests Are More Effective Than Electronic Ones
People respond better to face-to-face requests than e-mails
Why It's So Hard to Keep a Secret
The real reason has more to do with mental meandering than actively hiding information
Interviews May Lead Us Astray When Hiring Someone
Subjective meet and greets don’t necessarily predict job performance
Conspiracy Theorists May Really Just Be Lonely
People prone to believing in elaborate cover-ups could just be seeking more meaning in life
Put a Bird on It
Customizing possessions boosts performance
Why We Love Dad's Old Sweater
“Authentic objects” keep us company
Living a Lie: We Deceive Ourselves to Better Deceive Others
New research provides the first evidence for a theory first put forward in the 1970s
Why Emotional Snap Judgments Are Often Wrong
When reading people's emotions, careful thinking may pay off
Trick of Tweet: Data Tool Pinpoints Words Seen as Credible
Computers are sorting real news from fake on social media
Should You Wear Makeup at Work?
Research shows intriguing differences in how male and female co-workers react to women who wear makeup in the office
Why Nostalgia Is Good for You
The bittersweet emotion increases feelings of vitality
Why We Love Moral Rigidity
We tend to trust people who adhere to moral rules, even when doing so leads to bad outcomes