Maybe it’s all the church socials, but a new study finds that those who attend religious activities are more likely to gain weight than those who don’t go to church as often.
Behavior
Altruism in Action: Japanese Surfer Hero Rescues His Wife, Mother and Others
In case you still had doubts about the way natural disasters can bring out the best in people, consider the heroic actions of Hideaki Akaiwa.
The Cranky Dieter Explained: How Self-Control Makes You Angry
Have you ever noticed that people on diets are really crabby? While many might blame low blood sugar or a general lack of pleasure (rice cakes, cabbage soup — ugh!), recent psychological research suggests that it’s actually the …
Fan Rage: How Home Team Losses Contribute to Domestic Violence
Any diehard football fan can relate to post-loss blues — when your beloved team is outscored by a rival, it’s hard to keep your spirits up or put on a happy face after the game.
Do People Really Make Life Decisions Based On Their Names?
What’s in a name? Letters that offer clues to one’s future decisions, apparently.
Lessons on Cyberbullying: Is Rebecca Black a Victim? Experts Weigh In
It may be Friday, but it’s doubtful that 13-year-old Internet sensation Rebecca Black is excitedly singing about wanting to party in her car right now.
Learning from the Japanese Example — What Makes a Hero?
As Japan faces fallout from this week’s catastrophic earthquake and tsunamis, hundreds of workers and soldiers are trying at great personal risk to cool damaged nuclear reactors and prevent further spread of radioactive …
Walking and Talking: Why Oldsters Shouldn’t Try It
We know it’s a really bad idea to talk or text while you’re driving, but what about walking and talking?
Study: Do Early Drinkers Become Heavy Drinkers?
Boasting about how young you were when you had your first full drink (sips at the dinner table from Mom or Dad’s wine glass don’t count) may be fun when you’re in college, but researchers say the age at which you have your first …
Trick to Improving Your Odds in Vegas: Get a Full Night’s Sleep
Anecdotally, we know we make worse decisions when we’re tired than after a good night’s sleep. Now, a new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience puts a finer point on the link between sleep deprivation and unwise …
Do You Love Your Stuff Too Much? Maybe It’s Because No One Loves You
Do we substitute material possessions for love? That’s the question explored by a new study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, which also asks if the opposite is true: do people who get lots of love and acceptance …
The Lab Rat: A Better Way to Diagnose ADHD
Does your child have ADHD, or is he merely rambunctious? Few questions divide parents, teachers, and mental-health professionals as often as this one.
I’m Not Goofing Off. I’m Getting Inspired!
During the lead-up to nearly every major event or holiday — the Super Bowl, the Oscars, Thanksgiving — a swell of media reports describe how people’s preoccupation with the event causes lost productivity. Last year, for …