relationships
Keeping Your Friends Close
Sep/02/2011 12:34
The adaptive benefits of social connection are many and profound. Not only does being around close others offer protection from environmental threats but it also allows individuals to capitalize on the varied sets of skills and resources that belonging to a collective can provide. Because of these benefits, some psychologists have posited that a “need to belong” is as fundamental a human motive as hunger and sex-drive. But is there a down side? Read More...
I Don't Need You When I've Got Money
Aug/16/2011 14:10
Mimicry -- the tendency to automatically copy the gestures of an interaction partner -- has often been referred to as a "social glue." Most research has found that when others subtly mimic us, we like it. But new work by Jia Liu and colleagues is suggesting that mimicry might not always be a plus, especially when money is involved. Read More...
Accurately Assessing Sexual Orientation: Why Timing Matters
Jun/21/2011 10:13
We spend a lot of time on this blog talking about how people judge the personal qualities of others. Nicholas Rule and colleagues have an intriguing new finding out today that examines a somewhat related question: What determines how accurate people are in assessing the sexual orientation of others? Turns out, for women at least, the timing of the judgment plays a big factor. Read More...
Cold Shoulder or Ice Pack? Either Way It's a Lonely Day
Jun/17/2011 10:12
Why is it that people often say they are "getting the cold shoulder" when they feel lonely from someone ignoring them? The answer may come from more than linguistics. Read More...
