Human inclinations are not primarily selfish: kindness and altruism have been evolutionarily valued in mates, and even the youngest children often try to be helpful
Psychology
Why Misinformation Sticks and Corrections Can Backfire
A new review of the research explains why “mud” sticks — especially when it’s flung in the midst of a heated political contest
Improving Willpower: How to Keep Self-Control from Flagging
Why does willpower often seem to fail us, just when we need it most?
How to Improve Police Lineups and ID the Right Culprit
Mistaken eyewitness identification is a major cause of false convictions, but a new lineup technique could improve bystanders’ accuracy
How Overconfidence and Paranoia Become Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
People’s overconfidence can be confused with competence, while their paranoia can elicit the very anger and rejection they’re seeking to avoid
My Brain Made Me Do It: Psychopaths and Free Will
Why judges hand down shorter sentences to convicted psychopaths when their behavior is blamed on the brain
The Psychology of Heroism: Why Some People Leap in Front of Bullets
During the shootings in Aurora, Colo., and Oak Creek, Wis., some people confronted danger and saved lives, while most others scampered for the exits. What explains the difference?
Seat’s Taken! A Study of Antisocial Traveler Behavior
A researcher spent two years crisscrossing the country by bus cataloging all the ways we try to prevent strangers from sitting next to us
Psychological Abuse: More Common, as Harmful as Other Child Maltreatment
Psychological abuse — including demeaning, bullying and humiliating — may be the most prevalent form of child maltreatment. Yet it’s among the hardest to identify or to treat
Testosterone, the Power Hormone
Biology meets history in a new book on revolution, riot and the sex hormone testosterone. Author Karin Kneissl explains
Military Suicide: Help for Families Worried About Their Service Member
In this week’s TIME cover story, “One a Day” (available to subscribers here), journalists Mark Thompson and Nancy Gibbs explore why suicides among the U.S. military have reached crisis levels. Every day, one active-duty …
A Nightmare Quiz: Just How Bad Are Your Dreams?
Everyone has nightmares, but bad dreams can indicate — or even cause — psychological problems. Take this yes-or-no quiz to see what your dreams may mean for your mental health
Sandusky Verdict: When Seeing the World as Good Is Bad
Humans have a psychological need to see the world as fair and just. Paradoxically, that’s why we sometimes blame the victims in cases of sexual abuse.
