Evolved Primate

Identity, decision making and human behavior from an integrated social science perspective.

Daniel R. Hawes is a social psychologist stuck in an applied economists body. See full bio

November 19, 2009

The Subconscious and Strategic Resource Recruitment

That information does not need to become conscious to affect our behavior is experimentally substantiated and popularly accepted. An interesting question that remains, is whether subconsciously held information can be employed strategically... Read More

November 17, 2009

The Brain Can Change Itself: Evidence From Impossible Phantom Limb Movements

Fascinating research - often involving phantom limbs and smart sensory manipulations, -has shown that the brain’s body image relies heavily on learning via sensory feedback. This study shows the brain to be capable of reconstructing body image even in the absence of sensory feedback...... Read More

November 17, 2009

Numeracy: Crucial to Your Health

A great deal of health related information is provided numerically in tables and graphs. However, many people, including physicians and other highly educated people, lack the basic numeracy skills necessary to understand this information. Here are some interesting statistics, numeracy tests and general thoughts for you to consider... Read More

November 13, 2009

Learning By Observation Rests on Early(!) Sleep

Want to Learn? Sleep!...Want to Learn by Observation? Sleep Early!... Read More

November 10, 2009

What's to Say for Secret Relationships?

The Hollywood depiction of secret romantic relationships is often one of excitement and heightened attraction. The reality of secret relationships, however, is not all Peter Parker and Mary Jane; especially when it comes to personal health and relationship well-being... Read More

November 9, 2009

The Case For Rebound Relationships

Counter to what many self-help books, blog posts, and news articles may tell you, rebound relationships do not have to be bad for you... Read More

November 9, 2009

You Today, Someone Else Tomorrow?

Why don't we stick to these choices when "next week", "tomorrow," or "later" come around? It has to do with how we distinguish between choices on behalf of our current-self and on behalf of our future self. Read More

November 6, 2009

Science of Speed Dating - Part IV

Ask men and women what they look for in a partner, and they will tell you that they are basically looking for someone who matches well with them in terms of wealth and status, family commitment, attractiveness, health and of course general physical appearance. Take a closer look at who these same men and women end up actually pursuing as potential partners, however, and a quite different story ensues... Read More

November 5, 2009

Priming Toddlers to be Altruistic

Drop a couple of pens in front of an eighteen year-old toddler, and there is a decent chance your toddler will display a spontaneous act of altruism by picking them up for you. A recent experiment from the Max Planck Institute now shows that this kind of cooperative, altruistic behavior in toddlers can be increased by affiliative priming... Read More

November 4, 2009

How Different Are Same-Sex Couples from Different-Sex Couples?

A look at some demographic information about same-sex and different-sex marriages. Read More

Behavioral Economics Basics

Why do we often think we know what we want, only to be disappointed with our purchases and choices? Behavioral economics studies just how irrational we humans can be.

Go to the Behavioral Economics Basics page for more on Behavioral Economics including:

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