Adaptive Behavior

Fact, myth and conjecture about human and animal adaptation

John Staddon, Ph.D.

Is Science Showing Diminishing Returns?

Is there more "noise" than "signal" in some areas of science?

Animal Research

Can research with animals advance human psychology? How trustworthy is a conservative commentator?

Racism Is Everywhere…Is It, Really?

Should some issues never be discussed because some ideas might lead to policies we don't like?

Let us hear no more whining about 'disparate impact'

Why do we hear so much about "gender disparities" when there are so many possible reasons for them?

Blinded with Science!

Hearing speech you don't like can cause physical injury. Really?

Team Player: Professor Shiller and Finance as Panacea

Is modern finance a kind of engineering? Does it really power the economy? How big should the finance industry be?

Elasticity of Belief

Attitudes based on little experience can be changed.

Signal, Noise, Rorschach: The Tactics of Mr. T?

Is President Trump's speech more noise than signal?

Malthus, Parkinson and the Ministry of Repeal

Our legislative system is unbalanced. Too many, too bad, too old laws. Malthus and Parkinson show us the cause. Creating yet another bureaucracy may provide a cure.

Open Letter to Mr. Tom Wolfe

Is language really special? Or did it evolve just like other human abilities?

What’s It All About, Alfie? (And Fred)

Are schedules of reinforcement an accurate template for education? Or is operant conditioning irrelevant? Is education all about 'intrinsic motivation'?

Size Matters

When is a gift not a gift? The hidden, but predictable, cost of real-life changes in reinforcement schedule

Speed Limits: Safe Driving – or Driver Mis-Education?

The US traffic-control is inefficient and dangerous

Where Operant Conditioning Went Wrong

Operant conditioning is no longer at the center of experimental psychology: why not?

It's All About Power

Who is the real micro-aggressor?

Microaggression, Mens Rea and the Unconscious Mind

Why are good intentions not enough?

Bernoulli and the Taxman, Part II: Fair (and Painless)?

Income tax is a psychological as well as an economic problem. Is it fair? Does it provide the right incentives? Here's a simple way to think about a needlessly complex problem.

Death by Stop Sign

Traffic control measures in U.S. can distract drivers instead of reducing risk.

Bernoulli and the Taxman, Part I: Fair Tax

Psychology can help design a fair income tax

Consciousness, Suffering and the Rights of Animals

Can an amoeba suffer and should we care?