identity
What do Putin and Bieber have in common? A lot, if you think they look alike
A study reports that people think those with similar personality traits look alike and vice versa.
Is reality real? These neuroscientists don’t think so.
Reality is more distorted than we think.
▸
with
Why the U.S. and Belgium are culture buddies
The Inglehart-Welzel World Cultural map replaces geographic accuracy with closeness in terms of values.
The science behind ‘us vs. them’
Humans may have evolved to be tribalistic. Is that a bad thing?
▸
17 min
—
with
How do you tell reality from a deepfake?
The more you see them, the better you get at spotting the signs.
How your brain bonds with fictional characters
Scans show similar activity to what occurs when you think about yourself.
New research shows that bullies are often friends
Remedies must honor the complex social dynamics of adolescence.
A philosophical approach to routines can illuminate who we really are
What can 'behaviorism' teach us about ourselves?
Study: Language (not geography) major force behind India’s gene flow
The study found that people who spoke the same language tended to be more closely related despite living far apart.
What is the ‘self’? The 3 layers of your identity.
Answering the question of who you are is not an easy task. Let's unpack what culture, philosophy, and neuroscience have to say.
▸
12 min
—
with
Why moral people tolerate immoral behavior
As morally sturdy as we may feel, it turns out that humans are natural hypocrites when it comes to passing moral judgment.
▸
5 min
—
with
Study: These personality traits predict early career success
A new study found that personality growth in young adults predicted career benefits such as income, degree attainment, and job satisfaction.
Should parents de-emphasize gender norms?
The color of toys has a much deeper effect on children than some parents may realize.
▸
6 min
—
with
How four British migrations defined America
They came from different places and with different ideas, which still resonate today.
Five weird thought experiments to break your brain
Thought expriments are great tools, but do they always do what we want them to?
Study analyzes the relationship between pets and their young LGBTQ owners
There are pros and cons to owning a pet as a marginalized individual.
Rutgers University adjusts grammar rules in solidarity with Black Lives Matter
The English Department is instituting a series of reforms that cuts across the entire university.
What is counterfactual thinking?
Can thinking about the past really help us create a better present and future?
Why do people believe in conspiracy theories?
Are we genetically inclined for superstition or just fearful of the truth?
▸
13 min
—
with
How to do archaeology with place names
Mapping the frequency of common toponyms opens window on Britain's 'deep history'.
Psychology’s five major perspectives explained
Why do you feel the way you feel, think the way you think and behave the way you do? Here are 5 possible explanations.
Could you become a ‘natural’ blonde by altering your genes?
Exploring how a small change in your DNA sequence can make you a natural blonde.
DNA shows Scythian warrior mummy was a 13-year-old girl
Thanks to modern technology, we can reexamine our assumptions about ancient warriors.
Midlife crisis? More like midlife calling. Here’s how to find yours.
Did you know that shifting to a positive perspective on aging can add 7.5 years to your life? Or that there is a provable U-curve of happiness that shows people get happier after age 50?
▸
with
IBM promises no more facial recognition software
The programming giant exits the space due to ethical concerns.
This is the superpower teachers need to flex
It takes a special person with a special set of skills to reach students on an emotional level.
▸
4 min
—
with
Anthony Scaramucci: How entrepreneurs can manage fear in times of crisis
What's the worst thing that could happen, and can you live with that?
▸
7 min
—
with
Perhaps all atlases should be this subjective
To get a sense of faraway places, these 'atlases' let the locals give you their perspective.
How swipe-based dating apps are impacting your mental health
Online dating has evolved, but at what cost?