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Amy Alkon

About

Amy Alkon invented the “science-help” genre. Alkon synthesizes scientific findings from across disciplines—neuroscience, social psychology, evolutionary psychology, clinical psychology, and medical research—and translates them into highly practical advice.

For nearly 25 years, Alkon has written an award-winning, science-based syndicated advice column, The Science Advice Goddess, distributed by Creators Syndicate to papers across North America.

Alkon is also a mediator and works weekly in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office as a volunteer mediator, providing free dispute resolution to LA residents.

Alkon’s latest “science-help” book is "Unf*ckology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence," (St. Martin's Press, $15.99), about action-based change.

Additionally, Alkon is a science-based manners expert and the author of two science-driven, darkly funny books on the subject—most recently, “Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck” (St. Martin’s Press).

Alkon has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, NPR, CNN, Dr. Drew, numerous science podcasts, and on Joe Rogan and Adam Carolla. She has been profiled in The New York Times and papers across the U.S. and Canada.

Alkon is the past President of the Applied Evolutionary Psychology Society and gave a TED talk, “The surprising self-interest in being kind to strangers.”

Alkon gives science-based talks at colleges, for organizations, and for business; and she offers private coaching sessions for individuals, pre-marital conflict resolution for couples, and mediation.

Follow Amy Alkon on Twitter: @amyalkon

Books by Amy Alkon
Recent Posts
The Power of Positive Envy

Envy is mistakenly assumed to be ugly and shameful, but it can be a powerful—and positive—motivational tool.

Envy is mistakenly assumed to be ugly and shameful, but it can be a powerful—and positive—motivational tool.

How to Be a Lone Genius

The idea of the “lone genius” is a myth. Understanding how collaboration makes us vastly better allows us to achieve to the best of our ability—and maybe even better than that.

The idea of the “lone genius” is a myth. Understanding how collaboration makes us vastly better allows us to achieve to the best of our ability—and maybe even better than that.

Build Habits You Want Into Your Environment

You’re more likely to start and maintain good habits if you build them into your world in ways that make them physically difficult to ignore.

You’re more likely to start and maintain good habits if you build them into your world in ways that make them physically difficult to ignore.

7 Sleep Myths That Might Be Keeping You Awake

Understanding sleep myths is the best start to getting a solid night's sleep so you can function at your physical and emotional best.

Understanding sleep myths is the best start to getting a solid night's sleep so you can function at your physical and emotional best.

Expressing Warm Feelings Is a Highly Assertive Act

We think of assertiveness as standing up for ourselves. But it also involves saying kind, generous, warm things that need to be said.

We think of assertiveness as standing up for ourselves. But it also involves saying kind, generous, warm things that need to be said.

Does Your Social Environment Need Cleanup?

We choose who we are by choosing who our friends are. Our friends’ values and character are hidden influences on our own.

We choose who we are by choosing who our friends are. Our friends’ values and character are hidden influences on our own.