Beastly Behavior

Identity

Society and Identity

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on January 12, 2021

The cognitive ability that drove human evolution more than any other was our sociality. The ways we interact and form societies are a deep-rooted aspect of human nature.

The cognitive ability that drove human evolution more than any other was our sociality. The ways we interact and form societies are a deep-rooted aspect of human nature.

Identity

How Societies Survive

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on November 9, 2020

The strains and conflicts of our increasingly globalized societies are not just about resources and politics, but stem from the most ancient features of our social psychology.

The strains and conflicts of our increasingly globalized societies are not just about resources and politics, but stem from the most ancient features of our social psychology.

Psychology

PsychTable: Collecting Evidence for Evolutionary Psychology

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on September 18, 2020

The field of evolutionary psychology is still young and controversial. Two scientists are helping it mature through a database for easy access to the strongest research.

The field of evolutionary psychology is still young and controversial. Two scientists are helping it mature through a database for easy access to the strongest research.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

5 More Ways That COVID-19 is Not Like the Flu

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on May 8, 2020

A close look reveals why this virus is such a peculiar and frustrating threat.

A close look reveals why this virus is such a peculiar and frustrating threat.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

6 Reasons Why COVID-19 Is Nothing Like the Flu

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on May 6, 2020

COVID-19 is often compared to the flu, but it presents an entirely different kind of challenge. Here's why.

COVID-19 is often compared to the flu, but it presents an entirely different kind of challenge. Here's why.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

I'm 41, Healthy, and Fit. And COVID-19 Still Got Me.

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on April 16, 2020

Here I share my experience contracting, fighting, and beating COVID-19 to remind everyone that youth and good health will not protect you. COVID comes for us all.

Here I share my experience contracting, fighting, and beating COVID-19 to remind everyone that youth and good health will not protect you. COVID comes for us all.

Free Will

How Likely Is the Emergence of Intelligent Life?

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on January 17, 2020

Underneath the great complexity of life lies some elegantly simple mathematics. Perhaps we are not "the most unlikely of species" after all.

Underneath the great complexity of life lies some elegantly simple mathematics. Perhaps we are not "the most unlikely of species" after all.

Testosterone

How Humans Became Peaceful

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on September 3, 2019

Although the world seems marred by violence on all sides, our is the most peaceful and cooperative species of all primates.

Although the world seems marred by violence on all sides, our is the most peaceful and cooperative species of all primates.

Beauty

Why Are Symmetrical Faces So Attractive?

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on July 8, 2019

The Evolutionary Advantage Theory may hold the key to why symmetrical faces are rated as more attractive.

The Evolutionary Advantage Theory may hold the key to why symmetrical faces are rated as more attractive.

Artificial Intelligence

The Theology of Artificial Intelligence

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on May 10, 2019

As religious communities begin to ask how AI will affect their beliefs, they should get educated about AI and involve AI scientists in their discussions.

As religious communities begin to ask how AI will affect their beliefs, they should get educated about AI and involve AI scientists in their discussions.

Addiction

Energy Drinks, Addiction, and the Brain

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on April 15, 2019

Scientists are now exploring how taurine affects brain functions, and a complicated picture is emerging.

Scientists are now exploring how taurine affects brain functions, and a complicated picture is emerging.

Evolutionary Psychology

Maladaptation in Evolutionary Psychology

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on March 29, 2019

A maladaptation is a feature that was once beneficial but no longer is. When it comes to psychology, it's often difficult to precisely dissect maladaptive behaviors.

A maladaptation is a feature that was once beneficial but no longer is. When it comes to psychology, it's often difficult to precisely dissect maladaptive behaviors.

Evolutionary Psychology

Why Do We Celebrate Darwin Day?

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on February 12, 2019

150 years later, Darwin is still under attack from pseudoscientific challenges. Here is why some of us choose to use our time to respond.

150 years later, Darwin is still under attack from pseudoscientific challenges. Here is why some of us choose to use our time to respond.

Narcissism

The Evolutionary Role of Narcissistic Sociopaths

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on December 10, 2018

While a personal evaluation is required for a psychological diagnosis, an evolutionary analysis can be informative on this important question.

While a personal evaluation is required for a psychological diagnosis, an evolutionary analysis can be informative on this important question.

Beauty

The Beauty of Human Imperfection

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on November 12, 2018

Of all the species that have ever walked the earth, we may be the most flawed, but we are certainly the most beautiful.

Of all the species that have ever walked the earth, we may be the most flawed, but we are certainly the most beautiful.

Mating

How Our Brain Computes Attraction

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on October 1, 2018

A new research study examined how the human brain combines various components of attraction into one feeling. The results were deceptively simple.

A new research study examined how the human brain combines various components of attraction into one feeling. The results were deceptively simple.

Diet

The ABCs of Vitamin Deficiency: A Uniquely Human Story

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on September 4, 2018

To be healthy, humans need a highly varied diet. This is out of step with all other animals, but the answer to that mystery lies in the lifestyle of our ancestors long ago.

To be healthy, humans need a highly varied diet. This is out of step with all other animals, but the answer to that mystery lies in the lifestyle of our ancestors long ago.

Stress

Healthcare Access and Stress: The Truth Is in the Telomeres

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on July 2, 2018

Can the chronic psychological stress of lacking access to healthcare lead to chronic physiological stress? The telomeres of white blood cells may hold the answers.

Can the chronic psychological stress of lacking access to healthcare lead to chronic physiological stress? The telomeres of white blood cells may hold the answers.

Creativity

Why Everyone Will Eventually Get Cancer

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on May 22, 2018

The key to all evolutionary innovation, and thus all human greatness, is the same thing that makes cancer so inevitable: mutations.

The key to all evolutionary innovation, and thus all human greatness, is the same thing that makes cancer so inevitable: mutations.

Health

Anti-LGBT Hate Crimes Linked to Suicidality Among LGBT Youth

Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D. on May 10, 2018

Public health research in Boston confirms that anti-LGBT hate crimes correlate with suicidality and poor mental health outcomes for LGBT youth.

Public health research in Boston confirms that anti-LGBT hate crimes correlate with suicidality and poor mental health outcomes for LGBT youth.