Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life

Empathy

A Glimpse into Our Common Humanity

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on December 31, 2021

What is the common thread connecting you, me, a Swedish physician, and a poor woman in Africa?

What is the common thread connecting you, me, a Swedish physician, and a poor woman in Africa?

Bias

10 Biases that Blind Us to a World Getting Better

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on December 21, 2021

Hard data show we are too pessimistic about the state of the world, and Hans Rosling suggests 10 pessimistic biases we could all do without.

Hard data show we are too pessimistic about the state of the world, and Hans Rosling suggests 10 pessimistic biases we could all do without.

Psychology

Humans as Penguins? The Psychology of Social Thermoregulation

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on November 29, 2021

Humans are commonly compared to chimpanzees, rats, and dogs, but Hans Rocha IJzerman argues we are really a lot like penguins. And he's talking psychology, not just appearance.

Humans are commonly compared to chimpanzees, rats, and dogs, but Hans Rocha IJzerman argues we are really a lot like penguins. And he's talking psychology, not just appearance.

Anger

Did Assassinating Bullies Make Humans More Domesticated?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on September 14, 2021

A prominent primatologist presents evidence that ancestral humans cooperated to assassinate bullies, which led to a process of self-domestication, and to some nastier traits.

A prominent primatologist presents evidence that ancestral humans cooperated to assassinate bullies, which led to a process of self-domestication, and to some nastier traits.

Meditation

Buddhism Meets Evolutionary Psychology

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on September 5, 2021

Why care about Robert Wright’s look at Buddhism and meditation through the lens of evolutionary psychology? For insights about why we're perpetually dissatisfied and self-deluded.

Why care about Robert Wright’s look at Buddhism and meditation through the lens of evolutionary psychology? For insights about why we're perpetually dissatisfied and self-deluded.

Happiness

7 Proven Steps to Happiness

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on September 2, 2021

1. Do something nice for someone else.

1. Do something nice for someone else.

Bias

Have We Been Ignoring the Biggest Flaw in Human Judgment?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on August 21, 2021

Doctors, judges, and business leaders make wildly divergent decisions based on the same evidence.. Noisy judgments are costly, dangerous, and unfair, but there are some solutions.

Doctors, judges, and business leaders make wildly divergent decisions based on the same evidence.. Noisy judgments are costly, dangerous, and unfair, but there are some solutions.

Education

Why Are Modern Americans and Europeans so WEIRD?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on August 18, 2021

Modern Americans and Europeans have brains wired to value education, independence, democracy, and analytic thinking more than family ties, authority, and holistic thought. Why?

Modern Americans and Europeans have brains wired to value education, independence, democracy, and analytic thinking more than family ties, authority, and holistic thought. Why?

Education

A Year of Stanford Education for $150: Psychohistory

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on May 18, 2021

Modern history, seen through the eyes of some of the world's pre-eminent thinkers and doers, brilliantly illustrates key themes from evolutionary biology and ancient history.

Modern history, seen through the eyes of some of the world's pre-eminent thinkers and doers, brilliantly illustrates key themes from evolutionary biology and ancient history.

Education

A Year of Stanford Education at $150: The Reading List

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on May 14, 2021

Part II: A reading list for my year of listening to the world's greatest lecturers.

Part II: A reading list for my year of listening to the world's greatest lecturers.

Education

How to Get a Year of Stanford Education for $150

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on May 13, 2021

Did I really just get to sit in on a year of lectures from professors at Stanford, Duke, Oxford, Harvard, Yale, and the University of Chicago for $150?

Did I really just get to sit in on a year of lectures from professors at Stanford, Duke, Oxford, Harvard, Yale, and the University of Chicago for $150?

Cognition

How to Overcome the 3 Major Sources of Antiscientific Thinking

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on April 3, 2021

There's an epidemic of misinformation about scientific findings, and it's dangerous to our health.

There's an epidemic of misinformation about scientific findings, and it's dangerous to our health.

Psychology

When Obedience to Authority Conflicts With Common Decency

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on March 1, 2021

Lessons about human nature from Milgram’s classic obedience research.

Lessons about human nature from Milgram’s classic obedience research.

Conformity

Disease Threats, Conformity, and Obedience to Authority

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on February 28, 2021

UBC's Mark Schaller talks about the behavioral immune system, an old psychological system that has new relevance to social distancing and prejudice.

UBC's Mark Schaller talks about the behavioral immune system, an old psychological system that has new relevance to social distancing and prejudice.

Psychology

7 Things You Can Do to Save the World

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on February 13, 2021

Can you and I do something to save the planet for our children and grandchildren? Yes, indeed, and here are some suggestions for actions we can, should, and must, take.

Can you and I do something to save the planet for our children and grandchildren? Yes, indeed, and here are some suggestions for actions we can, should, and must, take.

Environment

The Three Biggest Obstacles to Saving the Planet

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on December 12, 2020

If we want to save the planet, an eminent political scientist points out three immense obstacles we'll have to overcome.

If we want to save the planet, an eminent political scientist points out three immense obstacles we'll have to overcome.

Optimism

3 Reasons to Hope for the Future

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on December 9, 2020

Is it too late to save the planet? A political scientist taps psychology to argue that there's still reason to hope and that you could be the hero we need.

Is it too late to save the planet? A political scientist taps psychology to argue that there's still reason to hope and that you could be the hero we need.

Psychology

Should Amy Coney Barrett Withdraw in Society's Interest?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on October 18, 2020

Feelings of unfairness are linked to strong emotions and undermine people’s trust in government, so Barrett could do a great public service by withdrawing until after the election.

Feelings of unfairness are linked to strong emotions and undermine people’s trust in government, so Barrett could do a great public service by withdrawing until after the election.

Psychology

Make America Think Straight Again

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on October 7, 2020

Scientific American published a special issue on misinformation and antiscientific thinking. Why now?

Scientific American published a special issue on misinformation and antiscientific thinking. Why now?

Sex

Are Men “Toxic Problem-Solvers?”

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on September 19, 2020

Are men more likely to be focused on solving a problem when they should focus on giving, or receiving, social support? Don’t be so sure you know the answer.

Are men more likely to be focused on solving a problem when they should focus on giving, or receiving, social support? Don’t be so sure you know the answer.