-
For Young Adults, Caregiving Isn’t Just Hard. It Can Shape You for Life
They're young and in love. But she's sick, and he's her caregiver, and that means nothing else comes easy. ... At this age, people typically explore new beliefs, relationships and friendships. It's when you become the author of your own life story, as psychologist Dan McAdams puts it. But when caregiving takes up all the bandwidth, school, work, social and other identities fade away. It's hard for anyone, but because young people's identities are still under development, they may be particularly prone to what psychologists call role engulfment: One facet of your life becomes the only thing you think about, the only self you recognize.
-
We’ve Misunderstood Human Nature for 100 Years
One day in the summer of 1924, an anthropologist named Raymond Dart made an incredible discovery — and drew a conclusion from it about human nature that would mislead us for a century. Dart was examining a set of fossils that had been unearthed by miners near the town of Taung in South Africa when he found the skull of a “missing link” between ancient apes and humans. It belonged to a juvenile member of the species Australopithecus africanus who was later nicknamed the Taung Child.
-
Unraveling the Power and Influence of Language
The study of framing effects is a multidisciplinary line of research that investigates when, how, and why language influences those who receive a message and how it impacts their response. This science is in the spotlight in the latest issue of Psychological Science in the Public Interest.
-
Singles Differ in Personality Traits and Life Satisfaction Compared to Partnered People
New research finds that lifelong singles have lower life satisfaction scores compared to those in relationships.
-
Our Bodies Are So Ready to Celebrate the Rebirth of the Sun
The moment when Earth’s Northern Hemisphere tilts farthest away from the sun—the December solstice, on the 21st this year—is not just a mark on the calendar. It is also defined by the way our bodies react to the event. The dimming of our daily ration of natural light leading up to the winter solstice produces a series of conspicuous physiological changes. These changes relate to circadian rhythms. The word circadian derives from the Latin “circa diem,” meaning “about a day.” It signifies the way animals, plants, fungi and bacteria react to environmental cues, including inputs of light, on a daily and seasonal basis.
-
How Feelings of Disconnection and Lack of Control Fuel Conspiracy Beliefs
Analysis - Conspiracy theories have always been a part of society, offering explanations - sometimes simple, often elaborate - for complex events. Some have uncovered genuine conspiracies, such as the Watergate scandal. Most lack substance but are nevertheless widely believed. For instance, the idea that the moon landing was staged has persisted for decades despite substantial evidence to the contrary. What drives people to adopt these beliefs? Researchers have been investigating the underlying mechanisms that foster conspiracy beliefs and our new study adds another piece to this puzzle.
