The Modern Heart

Race and Ethnicity

Is Paler Considered Prettier for Asian Americans?

Karen Wu Ph.D. on October 12, 2025

Is paler seen as prettier for Asian Americans? We conducted a speed-dating study to examine the roles of colorism in Asian Americans' dating preferences.

Is paler seen as prettier for Asian Americans? We conducted a speed-dating study to examine the roles of colorism in Asian Americans' dating preferences.

Extroversion

Are Extraverts Less Intelligent?

Karen Wu Ph.D. on June 16, 2024

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis to resolve mixed findings on extraversion and intelligence.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis to resolve mixed findings on extraversion and intelligence.

Pregnancy

4 Ways That Pregnant Women Are Shamed for Their Weight

Karen Wu Ph.D. on June 9, 2024

3. Accusations that their weight puts the baby's health at risk.

3. Accusations that their weight puts the baby's health at risk.

Ghosting

8 Common Experiences of Ghostees

Karen Wu Ph.D. on June 3, 2024

Empathy may play a surprisingly important role in recovery.

Empathy may play a surprisingly important role in recovery.

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.

Sex

15 Common Experiences of "Femcels"

Karen Wu Ph.D. on March 24, 2024

Researchers qualitatively coded online posts to understand femcels' experiences with power, sex, frustration, and revenge.

Researchers qualitatively coded online posts to understand femcels' experiences with power, sex, frustration, and revenge.

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 Scenarios

Karen Wu Ph.D. on September 4, 2023

Ghosters have mixed feelings but still resist reconnection.

Ghosters have mixed feelings but still resist reconnection.

Beauty

9 Scientific Explanations for Why Masks Enhance Our Beauty

Karen Wu Ph.D. on March 19, 2023

Why do masks make people more attractive? Researchers have discovered 9 psychological reasons for this phenomenon.

Why do masks make people more attractive? Researchers have discovered 9 psychological reasons for this phenomenon.

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.

Personality

9 Things That Your Food Might Say About Your Personality

Karen Wu Ph.D. on January 8, 2023

What might your food preferences say about your personality? A new study reviewed the current literature on the topic.

What might your food preferences say about your personality? A new study reviewed the current literature on the topic.

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.

Loneliness

Why Do People Collect Things? It Could Be Loneliness

Karen Wu Ph.D. on November 27, 2022

A study tested the roles of attachment, anthropomorphism, and distress intolerance in excessive acquisition.

A study tested the roles of attachment, anthropomorphism, and distress intolerance in excessive acquisition.

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.