Out of the Ooze

Navigating the 21st century with a stone-age mind

Why We Still Fall for the "Nigerian Prince" Scam

Our inherent naivete in dealing with strangers in cyberspace and our psychological predispositions make us easy prey for scammers.

Are Heroism, Philanthropy, and Religion About Showing Off?

Costly Signaling Theory proposes that our noble actions send honest signals to others about our genetic quality, our access to resources, and our cooperative nature.

Is Polygamy a Better Deal for Men or for Women?

There is a tendency to think of polygamy as a much better arrangement for men than for women—but the reality is much more complicated.

Your Sense of Humor Can Serve As "Social Radar"

A sense of humor is the Swiss Army Knife of social skills — a single instrument, but one containing an arsenal of separate tools exquisitely designed for a unique social purpose.

Why Beauty Is a Mixed Blessing for Girls

For women, beauty can be a curse as well as a blessing — it bestows undeniable advantages on those who possess it, but also paints a target squarely on their backs

Can Feng Shui Enhance Human Well-Being?

The theory behind Feng Shui sounds beautiful, but what does science have to say about the effectiveness of Feng Shui design?

The Winchester Mystery House and Other Haunted Places

Ghosts seem to have very specific preferences for where they take up residence-–why?

Why Men Will Always Be More Disgusting Than Women

It can be very liberating to be the most disgusting person in the room.

The Freudian Symbolism in Your Dreams

Do dreams mean anything? Psychologists are genuinely divided over the function and meaning of dreaming, but psychoanalysts believe that they are a window into the unconscious.

Why There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Home can be a slippery concept. But psychologists have long understood that it plays a huge role in self-identity and emotional well-being.

How the God You Worship Influences the Ghosts You See

While religion may ease our terror of death, it may also increase our chances of being haunted by ghosts and other spirits during our lifetime.

The Role of Creepy Characters in Popular Culture

Watching disturbing people onscreen in the safety of a movie theater or in our living room may provide an opportunity for learning vicariously from the mistakes of others.

Creepy Vacation Destinations

There are a lot of creepy places in the world - and every one of them has a story.

A Reflection on Creepy Mustaches and Creepy Hobbies

How you spend your leisure time may signal how uncomfortable others expect to be when they interact with you; in other words, your hobbies can be a way of flaunting creepiness.

What Is the Right Size for a Group Conversation?

Why do we have to decrease the number of people involved in a conversation when we are gossiping about someone else?

4 Underestimated Markers of Female Beauty

It is no secret that when it comes to physical beauty, women are held to higher standards than are men; here are a few of the subtle things that seem to matter a lot.

How to Avoid Creeping Women Out

When it comes to looking like a creep, the bar is set a lot lower for men. Here's why, along with some advice.

A Reflection on Near Death Experiences

How better to resolve the ambiguity surrounding death than by looking to those individuals who have apparently crossed over and then returned to us?

The Ambience of a Restaurant Controls What We Eat and Drink

Serving tasty food doesn’t do a restaurant much good if customers don’t stay long enough – or never even walk through the door in the first place. How do restaurants entice us?

Communicating With the Dead: Mediums, Séances, Ouija Boards

There has long been a keen interest in finding a way to communicate with the dead. How better to manage our own uncertainty about life in the hereafter?

Controlling the Conduct of College Women in the 1960s

Rules regulating the freedoms of college women were absolutely draconian in 1962. In hindsight, the unabashed double standards of collegiate social regulations were jaw dropping.

Getting Over Rover: Why the Loss of a Dog Can Be Devastating

Those of us who have loved a dog know the truth: Your pet is never "just a dog," which explains why we miss them so much when they pass away.

The Creepiness of Japan's "Suicide Forest"

Folklore has it that the spirits of people who have killed themselves in the forest call others who are sad to the place and then lure them deep into the woods.

Haunted Houses: What Keeps the Legends Alive?

Whether a place seems truly haunted can very much be in the mind of the beholder.

The Perils of Social Isolation

When we experience social isolation, the lack of emotional support and comradeship can increase our anxiety and hinder our ability to cope with unusual sensory information.

Why Clowns Creep Us Out

Clowns are mischievous and unpredictable, and are associated with serial killers in real life and in the movies. In other words, clowns are designed to creep us out.