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The Modern Heart

Exploring love in the 21st century.

Pregnancy
Why Some Men Experience Pregnancy Symptoms

Karen Wu Ph.D. on March 25, 2024

Researchers examined hormone levels and responses to infant stimuli among expectant couples, finding similar physiological changes in men and women.

Researchers examined hormone levels and responses to infant stimuli among expectant couples, finding similar physiological changes in men and women.

Stress
13 Surprising Reasons for Early Menarche

Karen Wu Ph.D. on January 7, 2024

Girls are menstruating earlier and earlier. Whereas some causes are obvious, others often fly under the radar and indicate adverse childhood experiences.

Girls are menstruating earlier and earlier. Whereas some causes are obvious, others often fly under the radar and indicate adverse childhood experiences.

Adolescence
9 Ways the Pandemic May Have Led to Precocious Puberty

Karen Wu Ph.D. on November 27, 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of precocious puberty increased steeply in many countries. Recent research examined potential reasons for this alarming phenomenon.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of precocious puberty increased steeply in many countries. Recent research examined potential reasons for this alarming phenomenon.

Happiness
Why Having a Pet May Not Make You Happier

Karen Wu Ph.D. on November 19, 2023

Do pets always make us happier? A new study suggests they might not, as researchers qualitatively identified both positive and negative aspects of pet ownership.

Do pets always make us happier? A new study suggests they might not, as researchers qualitatively identified both positive and negative aspects of pet ownership.

Family Dynamics
Stepfathers: A Mysterious Cause of Early Menarche

Karen Wu Ph.D. on November 1, 2023

Why might stepfathers cause earlier menstruation in girls? Several possible mechanisms have been proposed, including pheromones, stress, and paternal investment.

Why might stepfathers cause earlier menstruation in girls? Several possible mechanisms have been proposed, including pheromones, stress, and paternal investment.

Ghosting
8 Common Ghosting Experiences

Karen Wu Ph.D. on September 4, 2023

What is it like to ghost others? Researchers identified 8 themes regarding reasons for ghosting, the ghosting process, and ghosting consequences from the ghoster’s perspective.

What is it like to ghost others? Researchers identified 8 themes regarding reasons for ghosting, the ghosting process, and ghosting consequences from the ghoster’s perspective.

Intelligence
Are Americans Really Becoming Less Intelligent?

Karen Wu Ph.D. on March 16, 2023

Are we really becoming dumber? A new study of almost 400,000 Americans suggests that changes in cognitive abilities depend on domain. However, there are alternative explanations.

Are we really becoming dumber? A new study of almost 400,000 Americans suggests that changes in cognitive abilities depend on domain. However, there are alternative explanations.

Mating
Do Fertile Women Prefer More Masculine Men?

Karen Wu Ph.D. on December 27, 2022

Do ovulatory shifts have a tangible effect on real-life mate selection? Research assessed, through a speed-dating study, whether more fertile women preferred more masculine men.

Do ovulatory shifts have a tangible effect on real-life mate selection? Research assessed, through a speed-dating study, whether more fertile women preferred more masculine men.

Sex
How "Femcels" Differ From Incels

Karen Wu Ph.D. on November 14, 2022

"Femcels," or women who identify as involuntarily celibate, are on the rise. Who are they and how do they differ psychologically from incels?

"Femcels," or women who identify as involuntarily celibate, are on the rise. Who are they and how do they differ psychologically from incels?

DSM
12 Ways That Hoarders Differ From Collectors

Karen Wu Ph.D. on September 27, 2022

Is the line between collecting and hoarding as big as we think? Researchers identified the key differences through interviews.

Is the line between collecting and hoarding as big as we think? Researchers identified the key differences through interviews.

Anxiety
Do Highly Sensitive People Benefit More from Float Therapy?

Karen Wu Ph.D. on August 28, 2022

Highly sensitive people are particularly vulnerable to stress and anxiety given the constant stimulation of the modern world. Might float therapy be especially helpful for them?

Highly sensitive people are particularly vulnerable to stress and anxiety given the constant stimulation of the modern world. Might float therapy be especially helpful for them?

Narcissism
Selfie-Taking: Why It’s Okay for Us, but Not for Others

Karen Wu Ph.D. on August 21, 2022

Why do people take selfies when they claim to dislike them? Researchers examined the complex motivations behind selfie-taking, revealing cognitive biases.

Why do people take selfies when they claim to dislike them? Researchers examined the complex motivations behind selfie-taking, revealing cognitive biases.

Bias
Workplace Prejudice Against East Asians During COVID-19

Karen Wu Ph.D. on June 12, 2022

Did the pandemic truly cause greater prejudice? A new study finds that pandemic reminders increase prejudice towards East Asian and Hispanic Americans in the workplace.

Did the pandemic truly cause greater prejudice? A new study finds that pandemic reminders increase prejudice towards East Asian and Hispanic Americans in the workplace.

Environment
4 Ways the Pandemic Changed Our Values

Karen Wu Ph.D. on March 5, 2022

How have we changed during the pandemic? Through a longitudinal study, researchers identified shifts in several core values.

How have we changed during the pandemic? Through a longitudinal study, researchers identified shifts in several core values.