Machiavellian intelligence

According to Machiavellian intelligence hypothesis, humans are selected to outsmart each other so that other members' strategic goals and plans could be figured out, and complex social relationships could be navigated.
+ more

False belief

False belief tests suggest that 'theory of mind' or 'mindreading' takes time to develop; a three-year old kids -compared to four-year olds - do not seem to have the ability to represent others' mental states.
+ more

The Thatcher Illusion

The 'Margaret Thatcher illusion' or 'inversion effect' illustrates that our brains cannot process faces upside down.
+ more

Human superorganisim theory

A new theory put forth by Dr Robert Aunger suggests that all moral actions are based on the fundamental need to keep the human superorganism functioning properly.
+ more

What does it take to form a group?

Not pre-existing similarities, but two simple rules - reciprocity and transitivity - explain how we form groups explain psychologists Kurt Gray and David Rand.
+ more

Correlations and conspiracies

Jennifer Whitson and Adam Galinsky find that a loss of control increases our illusory pattern perception. But why do we have this need to structure the world into a more manageable form?
+ more

Causation lurking deep

Kandasamy, Hardy, Page and colleagues find in a recent research that it is cortisol, not just your personal preferences, that could affect your risk-behaviour.
+ more

Acknowledging failure

Is it time that failed experiments garner as much space in academic journals as those 'successful'? This Smithsonian article opines failure deserves some respect across domains.
+ more

What's in a name?

Research by Simcoe & Waguespack (2010), suggests that "name" could explain as much as 75 percent of difference in publication rates between high and low status authors. High-status authors receive more attention and are better able to develop ideas due to increased feedback.
+ more

Hyper-committed mothers

Shelley Correll, sociologist at the Stanford University, explains why it is not easy for mothers to overcome the discrimination they face at workplace. Those mothers, seen as "always being there", are perceived to be selfish and arrogant.
+ more

Behavior could be "gamed"

Institute of Communications Research at the University of Illinois finds that even five minutes of taking on a heroic or villainous avatar in a game can elicit uncharacteristic behavior in real life.
+ more

Evolutionary reasons for interpersonal conflict

Stan Gooch, British psychologist, proposed a "hybrid-origin" theory for the polar views we hold and resulting conflict.
+ more

Scarcity mindset

Why did the same individual farmers in India score less on IQ tests before harvest than after? Eldar Shafire, psychologist at the Princeton, explains how psychology of scarcity affects cognition.
+ more

Can science speak for itself?

This article in The New Yorker portrays the darker battles of truth. How do we ever know what science is based on "views from nowhere?"
+ more

Psychology of "losing"

According to counter-factual thinking, I would end up feeling much worse if I don't make it through the last round of PhD interviews than if I were screened out in the initial stage! Amy Summerville at the Miami University outlines research on "what might have been."
+ more

Are you happy?

A recent research by Oishi, Graham, Kesebir & Galinha traces the interpretations of this question across time and culture. While for some happiness means "good luck", for others it is an "internal state".
+ more

Noun is better than verb?

Did you know that framing an instruction as "don't be a cheater" is quite different in eliciting behavior than "don't cheat"? Even subtle linguistic cues could influence ethical behavior differently says a recent research by Bryan, Adams & Monin (2013).
+ more

Struggle for authenticity

What is the nature of authenticity? Can one achieve authenticity when the "self" is dynamic and self-awareness is mediated?
+ more

Pressure to publish positive results

Martin Rachev Vasilev finds that astonishing 73% of papers published in European Psychology Journals find all their tested hypotheses reach the holy grail of p < 0.05. Is it time to revisit the "gate-keeping"? + more

Forgot to cite?

If so, you might be engaging in research misconduct. "Rules about research misconduct," says Professor James DuBois," do not bend before breaking.
+ more