-
APS Fellows Awarded NSF Science of Learning Grants
A grant program developed by the National Science Foundation’s Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate is funding learning research employing everything from artificial intelligence to brain stimulation.
-
Spanking Linked to Increase in Children’s Behavior Problems
Spanking at age 5 is associated with increased behavior problems 1 and 3 years later — an increase that cannot be attributed to characteristics of the child or the family environment
-
Tools to Drive Eco-Friendly Behaviors
Can a human-machine interface encourage drivers to engage in more eco-friendly behaviors behind the wheel?
-
Here’s how scientists are tricking you into eating your veggies
There are people in this world who genuinely love vegetables. Some snack on frozen broccoli straight from the bag. Others crave carrots, adore asparagus, and even finish their kale without being bribed, begged, or threatened. Then there are the rest of us. Sure, a vegetable-rich diet lowers your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, and more. But why do they have to taste so … vegetal? ... But there may yet be hope for us vegetable skeptics. Scientists are coming up with ways to cajole you into eating your veggies. Some involve a little bit of manipulation, while others focus on making the vegetables themselves taste better.
-
How #MeToo Sparks Sharing — And Healing
As a Ph.D. candidate in the social sciences more than 20 years ago, Duana Welch, 49, had done enough research to know the consequences she'd face by reporting sexual harassment in the workplace. "When women came forward with allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment, the woman was the person blamed and the woman was not believed," she said. "I was very angry that I would pay the price for coming forward. I knew what would happen." ...
-
Can You Be Friends With Your Coffee Maker?
The number of devices you can talk to is multiplying—first it was your phone, then your car, and now you can boss around your appliances. Children are likely to grow up thinking everything is sentient, or at least interactive: One app developer told The Washington Post that after interacting with Amazon’s Alexa, his toddler started talking to coasters. But even without chatty gadgets, research suggests that under certain circumstances, people anthropomorphize everyday products. Sometimes we see things as human because we’re lonely.
