a blog by Wray Herbert
Sneezing at
Health Care Reform
A stranger's sneeze can be a good thing in a way. Think of it as a public service announcement, a very-simple-to-understand message about health risk. A sneeze can remind us to wash our hands and schedule our inoculations-probably more effectively than a lecture. But what if, in our hyper-vigilance, we overreact to everyday sneezes and coughs and sniffles? Read More.
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Science Flash
Q: On crowded sidewalks, how do we avoid collisions with fellow pedestrians?
A: As we're walking along, we don't bump into other people by using their eye movements as a guide. During a walking simulation experiment, volunteers tended to look away from and move in the direction opposite to where an oncoming pedestrian was looking, suggesting that we use others' eye gaze to predict where they will move next. Read more about why you shouldn't look where others are going. |
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 I'm Guilty! Not!
False confessions are more common than you think. Psychological research is helping to explain why they happen and their impact on the criminal justice system.
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 Just Sleep On It
Instead of stressing out over a problem, stop thinking about it. Studies have suggested that being distracted may lead to better decisions than concentrating on a problem. Read more about the benefits of unconscious thought.
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 The Aha! Moment
It's a great feeling when, after struggling for a long time with a problem, we can say "Aha!", and come up with a solution. Read more about what happens in the brain when the light bulb finally switches on.
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 We Are What We Eat, Or Are We?
The pleasure evoked by food attracts both scientists and artists. Get to know experts from both worlds as they share their insights about why we love spices and trace what we know about the story of spice.
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 Angry Faces
A quick glance at someone's facial structure may be enough to tell us if we should try to talk to them or if it's better to steer clear. What's the link between face shape and aggression?
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 How Do People Value Life?
If you needed to choose, would you save the life of a young person or an old person? The answer depends on how the question is asked.
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Questions? Comments? Please email media@psychologicalscience.org
Want more? Check out previous issues of the Observer Express. |
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