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Why Is Dining Alone So Difficult?
... The assumption that people need to be coupled or grouped goes beyond restaurants, said Bella DePaulo, a social psychologist in Summerland, Calif., and the author of the 2023 book “Single at Heart: The Power, Freedom and Heart-Filling Joy of Single Life.” Scientists have long examined the negative impacts of solitude, but studies on how it can be a peaceful, self-esteem-building experience are rarer, she said. The 2025 World Happiness Report, published last week by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, suggests that solitary activities, including solo meals, can lead to depression and shorter life expectancies. Dr.
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The Interplay of Innateness and Statistical Learning in Language Acquisition
APS President Randi Martin talks with Elissa Newport about the insights she has gained from her research career.
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James Pennebaker and the Power of Physical Markers in Social Research
APS’s incoming president describes the lessons and impacts of his research in social psychology.
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Member Spotlight: 2025 Spence Awardee Gemma Sharp on the Prospects of Eating Disorder Research
Technological innovation and a focus on underrepresented groups are highlights of this Spence Awardee’s career thus far.
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Kindness Will Make You Happier Than a Higher Salary
The world may feel cold, scary and cruel, but if you are open to seeing it, there is a lot of kindness, according to a new report. ... “Even though the world feels like it’s a pretty difficult place right now, it is nice to know that people are engaging in kind and generous acts,” said Dr. Lara Aknin, professor of social psychology at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and an editor of the World Happiness Report.
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A.D.H.D. Videos on TikTok Are Often Misleading, New Study Finds
On TikTok, misinformation about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be tricky to spot, according to a new study. ... “The data are alarming,” said Stephen P. Hinshaw, a professor of psychology and an expert in A.D.H.D. at the University of California, Berkeley, who was not involved in either study. The themes of the videos might easily resonate with viewers, he added, but “accurate diagnosis takes access, time and money.”
