Human Nature

Human Nature encompasses peoples' actions, perceptions, and thought processes. Topics include food cravings, mind-reading, and contagious yawning.

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Are facial expressions learned or innate? A study that looked at the facial expressions of people blind from birth found mixed results.

By Alia Hoyt

Short or tall, height affects us all — but does it have the power to determine how long we live, or whether we're happy?

By Laurie L. Dove

Swedish speakers tend to measure time by distance, while Spanish speakers tend to say measure it by volume. But how does this difference in expression affect how people perceive time?

By Shelley Danzy

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We've all performed this social ritual thousands of times but, as it turns out, there's a right way and a wrong way to shake hands. A psychologist who has studied the art and psychology behind handshakes explains.

By John Donovan

The experts have determined the right age for lots of life decisions.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

One expert calls anger a source of creative juice. Here's why.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Americans are struggling to maintain their core values in the face of heightened political polarization.

By Yves Jeffcoat

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Green spaces aren't just a city-planning gimmick. Living near birds and shrubs really does have measurable benefits, new research shows.

By Kate Kershner

New research debunks the myth that only the pretty people get the best salaries.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Would it surprise you to learn that people who used emojis were considered more agreeable than those who didn't?

By Alia Hoyt

You’d think that someone who curses up a storm might be dishonest and bad news all around. A new study finds that the opposite may be true.

By Kate Kershner

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The old folks are coming, and they want the red stuff in your veins. Is California company Ambrosia just high-tech vampirism?

By Chris Opfer

Spankings are common and legal in many public schools — but experts say they don't work. So why are they still a form of discipline?

By Julia Layton

If you ran into a chainsaw-swinging psychopath, you’d probably remember. But what about everyday pscyhopaths?

By Laurie L. Dove

Throwing games to make kids happy may negatively affect their ability to make important decisions — even if it does boost their self-esteem.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

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After you try this pungent party trick, you'll never doubt the power of garlic.

By Kate Kershner

According to doctors, injecting cooking oil into your muscles to make them appear larger does not work, could possibly kill you.

By Jesslyn Shields

One bad apple may indeed spoil the whole bunch, especially if it's a bunch of adolescent siblings and one of them is delinquent.

By Karen Kirkpatrick

Breaking eye contact during conversation doesn't necessarily mean we're insecure — it means we're human.

By Jesslyn Shields

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You may have thought shotgun marriages died out following the era of peace, free love and rock 'n' roll, but in some groups, they're actually rising.

By Karen Kirkpatrick

Being stuck in the middle seat on a long flight — or any flight — stinks. But does that entitle the middle-seater to the armrests? We asked an etiquette expert.

By Julia Layton

Living in racially hostile societies has been connected to the circulatory and cardiac health of both blacks and white.

By Jesslyn Shields

The reason why cringe when you hear your weird, terrible, monstrous voice? It all has to do with physics, biology and sonics.

By Laurie L. Dove

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Just jump already! Your backup plan may be getting in the way of you achieving your dream.

By John Donovan

Urine for a shock when you learn how much pee is in the average public pool. Even Olympic swimmers admit to peeing in the pool -- just like you and me.

By Karen Kirkpatrick