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Alcohol Makes Smiles More “Contagious,” but Only for Men
Consuming an alcoholic beverage may make men more responsive to the smiles of others in their social group, according to new research in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. The findings suggest that, for men, alcohol increases sensitivity to rewarding social behaviors like smiling, and may shed light on risk factors that contribute to problem drinking among men. “This experimental alcohol study, which included a social context, finds the clearest evidence yet of greater alcohol reinforcement for men than women,” says psychological scientist and lead researcher Catharine Fairbairn of the University of Pittsburgh.
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Wealth, Welfare and the Brother-in-Law Rule
The Huffington Post: One of the enigmas of the American political landscape is the impoverished Republican. This is the American with very little money, and many unmet needs, who nevertheless votes for people and policies that will deny him or her assistance. Indeed, many of the reddest states in the nation -- those whose elected leaders want to gut the state's welfare programs -- are among the largest beneficiaries of government aid. This makes no sense. With economic inequality at a historic high, why would so many Americans want to cut spending on social services targeted specifically for them?
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Stigma bars mentally ill from seeking care
Zee News: While stigma is one of many factors that may influence care seeking, it is one that has profound effects for those who suffer from mental illness, says a study. The desire to avoid public stigma causes individuals to drop out of treatment or avoid it entirely for fear of being associated with negative stereotypes, the findings showed. What is more, public stigma may also influence the beliefs and behaviours of those closest to individuals with mental illness, including friends, family and care providers. "The prejudice and discrimination of mental illness is as disabling as the illness itself.
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Why Original Artworks Move Us More Than Reproductions
Pacific Standard: Now that we can view high-definition reproductions of virtually any artwork from our computer screens, why do people visit art museums anyway? Sure, arranging individual pieces into compelling exhibitions enhances our appreciation, but it’s doubtful too many people come for the curation. Clearly, encountering original artworks in person is a unique experience. Viewing a copy of Guernica is not the same thing as seeing the actual Guernica. But why? Recently published research suggests that, when staring appreciatively at that Picasso, casual art lovers are engaging in a sort of magical thinking. Read the whole story: Pacific Standard
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The Biology Of Altruism: Good Deeds May Be Rooted In The Brain
NPR: Four years ago, Angela Stimpson agreed to donate a kidney to a complete stranger. "The only thing I knew about my recipient was that she was a female and she lived in Bakersfield, Calif.," Stimpson says. It was a true act of altruism — Stimpson risked pain and suffering to help another. So why did she do it? It involved major surgery, her donation was anonymous, and she wasn't paid. "At that time in my life, I was 42 years old. I was single, I had no children," Stimpson says. "I loved my life, but I would often question what my purpose is." When she read about the desperate need for kidneys, Stimpson, a graphic artist who lives in Albany, N.Y., says she found her purpose.
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Some millennials are this trapped: Income inequality, obesity and the neuroscience of adolescence
Salon: The yawning gap between the haves and have-nots will undoubtedly be a focus of discussion in this year’s midterm elections. But while the fact that income inequality has been growing is well known, little attention has been paid to how the changing nature of adolescence may be contributing to this troublesome trend. In order to understand this connection, it’s important to understand why adolescence has become so much longer.
