Do-Gooders Should Survey Communities First
Detroit residents declined an offer of free street trees—but were more willing to accept them if they had a say in the type of tree. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Behavior & Society2852 articles archived since 1845
How to Shift Anti-Transgender Attitudes
A new study shows that door-to-door “deep canvassing” conversations can change real voters’ attitudes to be more tolerant
Can Outrage Be a Good Thing?
A scientific look at an emotion that shapes our times
Is Only-Child Syndrome Real?
Children without siblings have long been thought of as spoiled and selfish. Are the claims true?
How to Deal with People Who Talk Too Much
Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 5 tips for when Jeff from accounting stops by to give you the play-by-play of his morning
Our Language Affects What We See
A new look at “the Russian Blues” demonstrates the power of words to shape perception
The Kids (Who Use Tech) Seem to Be All Right
A rigorous new paper uses a new scientific approach that shows the panic over teen screen time is likely overstated
Fake Whiskeys and Octo-Ecstasy
Scientific American assistant news editor, Tanya Lewis, and collections editor, Andrea Gawrylewski, take a deeper look at two short articles from the Advances news section of the December issue, on counterfeit whiskeys and the effect of real ecstasy...on octopuses.
Monogamy May Be Written in Our Genes
In animal studies, a set of 24 genes involved in neural development, learning and memory, and cognition, seem to be associated with monogamy. Karen Hopkin reports.
Seeing Superman Increases Altruism
Subject who saw a Superman poster were more likely to offer help than were people who saw another image.
How to Stop Feeling Overly Responsible
Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers four signs of over-responsibility, plus three ways to overcome it
A Touch to Remember
The sense of touch generates surprisingly powerful and long-lasting memories
Harsh Nazi Parenting Guidelines May Still Affect German Children of Today
The Nazi regime urged German mothers to ignore their toddlers’ emotional needs—the better to raise hardened soldiers and followers. Attachment researchers say that the harmful effects of that teaching may be affecting later generations
Facebook Users Value the Service More Than Investors Do
Users of the social network said they'd require payment of more than $1,000 to quit the platform for one year. Christopher Intagliata reports.
"Hunger Hormone" Ghrelin Aids Overindulgence
Ghrelin, the hormone that makes you hungry, also makes food, and food smells, irresistibly appealing. Karen Hopkin reports.
Family Traditions Boost Happiness
The holidays can bring joy or dread, but family rituals make them enjoyable, research suggests
How to Ease Travel Anxiety
Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen puts to rest four common travel anxieties
Is the Psychology of Deadly Force Ready for the Courts?
In the absence of rigorous science, psychologists disagree about using the neurobiology of stress to defend police officers who kill
Ho-Ho-Horrible: Why We're So Bad at Choosing Good Gifts
Recent research highlights the mismatch between what people want and what they want to give
How to Have Great Sex in a Committed Relationship
Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen talks with sex therapist Dr. Stephen Snyder about how to keep the flame burning for years to come