Scientocracy

Adolescence

Your Brain Knows What You Like Better Than You Do

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on January 2, 2019

A series of studies using brain imaging raise the possibility that sometimes we think we like or dislike things, but our brains know better.

A series of studies using brain imaging raise the possibility that sometimes we think we like or dislike things, but our brains know better.

Infidelity

Telling Kids They Are Smart Could Increase Cheating

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on December 6, 2018

When children do well and we tell them how smart they are, are we making them feel pressure to cut corners to hold on to their "smart" identity?

When children do well and we tell them how smart they are, are we making them feel pressure to cut corners to hold on to their "smart" identity?

Unconscious

Death by Salad: Two Reasons "Healthy" Food May Make You Fat

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on June 6, 2018

When it comes to food consumption, the most important organ is our brain.

When it comes to food consumption, the most important organ is our brain.

Self-Control

Chew on This: Willpower Predicts How Quickly You Taste Food

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on February 19, 2018

Unfortunately, our brains don’t always make sticking to a healthier diet easy.

Unfortunately, our brains don’t always make sticking to a healthier diet easy.

Behavioral Economics

The Secret to Weight Loss, According to Behavioral Economics

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on December 13, 2017

Losing weight is incredibly difficult, but behavioral economics may come to the rescue.

Losing weight is incredibly difficult, but behavioral economics may come to the rescue.

Child Development

How to Keep Santa from Making Our Kids Gain Weight

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on December 4, 2017

The key to combating America’s obesity problem is to prevent children from developing obesity in the first place.

The key to combating America’s obesity problem is to prevent children from developing obesity in the first place.

It is important for us to recognize and be humbled by the fact that most of us are not deeply grounded, rigorously consistent political philosophers.

Unconscious

The Power of Watching Yourself Eat

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on September 11, 2017

Making ourselves self-conscious about our food choices can help us reduce temptations by making those temptations less tempting.

Making ourselves self-conscious about our food choices can help us reduce temptations by making those temptations less tempting.

Behavioral Economics

Does Having Too Much Money Make Us Stupid ?

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on September 1, 2017

The quality of our decisions hinges in part on our ability and inclination to consider the trade-offs.

The quality of our decisions hinges in part on our ability and inclination to consider the trade-offs.

Relationships

Surprise! Nagging Your Spouse to Lose Weight Backfires

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on May 22, 2017

Sometimes the worst way to keep people from engaging in harmful behaviors is to tell them to avoid those behaviors.

Sometimes the worst way to keep people from engaging in harmful behaviors is to tell them to avoid those behaviors.

Health

What Do Calorie Labels Mean for America's Waistline?

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on April 11, 2017

We need to find better ways to help translate dietary information into healthy behavior.

We need to find better ways to help translate dietary information into healthy behavior.

Self-Control

Eating Too Much? Your Table Made You Do It

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on April 6, 2017

The key to healthy eating is to make self-control effortless.

The key to healthy eating is to make self-control effortless.

Health

The Downside of Financial Nudges

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on March 15, 2017

We should tax people for smoking, not for receiving health insurance.

We should tax people for smoking, not for receiving health insurance.

In a perfect world, we would not need to reward anyone for taking their kid to the doctor. In the imperfect world we live in, such rewards are far better than the alternative.

Stress

Hugs, Tweets, and Physician Reimbursement

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on February 16, 2017

As for those of us not in the healthcare reimbursement business, we should focus our energy on hugging people we care about. And minding our tweets.

As for those of us not in the healthcare reimbursement business, we should focus our energy on hugging people we care about. And minding our tweets.

Appetite

Eating When Not Hungry Could Be More Harmful than You Think

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on January 11, 2017

If possible, wait until you’re hungry to eat. If you’re going to snack while hungry, try something with a low glycemic index, like nuts or cheese. Your pancreas will thank you!

If possible, wait until you’re hungry to eat. If you’re going to snack while hungry, try something with a low glycemic index, like nuts or cheese. Your pancreas will thank you!

Health

A Force More Powerful Than Anti-Vaxxers? Economics!

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on October 6, 2016

Price negotiations need to set a balance between protecting public purses and promoting public health.

Price negotiations need to set a balance between protecting public purses and promoting public health.

Health

Housing the Homeless Could Eventually Pay For Itself

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on June 13, 2016

The cost of running supportive housing facilities for the homeless might be paid for through healthcare savings.

The cost of running supportive housing facilities for the homeless might be paid for through healthcare savings.

Aging

The Secret to Successful Aging—Subliminal Messaging?

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on June 8, 2016

If people become fatalistic about aging, their performance could potentially decline.

If people become fatalistic about aging, their performance could potentially decline.

Health

The Psychology of Wellness Nudges

Peter A. Ubel M.D. on March 23, 2016

Fairness often depends as much on perception as reality.

Fairness often depends as much on perception as reality.