Valley Girl With a Brain

Depression

5 Disturbing Facts About Phone Snubbing

Jen Kim on November 29, 2021

How friend phone snubbing or “Fphubbing” can hurt your relationships.

How friend phone snubbing or “Fphubbing” can hurt your relationships.

Relationships

Are Your Friends Richer, More Popular and More Attractive than You?

Jen Kim on November 22, 2021

The answer is yes, but it doesn't tell the whole story.

The answer is yes, but it doesn't tell the whole story.

Mating

How Animals Flirt and What We Can Learn from Them

Jen Kim on November 21, 2021

Love may be as deceptive, messy, and complicated for animals as it is for us.

Love may be as deceptive, messy, and complicated for animals as it is for us.

Scent

The Fascinating Psychology of Scents and Smells

Jen Kim on September 20, 2021

Do you smell like urine or vanilla? The answer depends on the sniffer's genes. 

Do you smell like urine or vanilla? The answer depends on the sniffer's genes. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How Anti-Vax Propaganda Succeeded in Japan

Jen Kim on August 16, 2021

We've been here before: Lessons from the rise of disinformation during Japan's HPV vaccine rollout.

We've been here before: Lessons from the rise of disinformation during Japan's HPV vaccine rollout.

Jealousy

6 Truths to Remember When You Feel Like You're Not Good Enough

Jen Kim on July 19, 2021

Truth No. 3: Not being perfect makes you a better human.

Truth No. 3: Not being perfect makes you a better human.

Personality

Is Popularity Genetic?

Jen Kim on June 28, 2021

How genetics might be the key to flying up the social ladder. 

How genetics might be the key to flying up the social ladder. 

Diet

Want to Cut Down on Eating Meat? Just Look at It

Jen Kim on May 10, 2021

New research suggests even meat-eaters are disgusted by meat.

New research suggests even meat-eaters are disgusted by meat.

Relationships

Should You Say 'I Love You' First?

Jen Kim on April 26, 2021

Three things to consider before you reveal your feelings before your partner does. 

Three things to consider before you reveal your feelings before your partner does. 

Relationships

For the Love of the Grudge: Resentment Feels Good

Jen Kim on March 1, 2021

Grudges give us permission to become victims—and enjoy all the perks that come along with it.

Grudges give us permission to become victims—and enjoy all the perks that come along with it.

Relationships

For the Love of the Grudge: Why We Can't Forgive or Forget

Jen Kim on March 1, 2021

Are we taught to be vindictive or is it inherently in our DNA? The answer may surprise you.

Are we taught to be vindictive or is it inherently in our DNA? The answer may surprise you.

Relationships

Should You Be the "Bigger" Person?

Jen Kim on January 18, 2021

Here's the right way to "win" an argument.

Here's the right way to "win" an argument.

Consumer Behavior

What Drives Us to Donate?

Jen Kim on December 1, 2020

Why do you open your wallet to some charities but not others? Science has some answers. 

Why do you open your wallet to some charities but not others? Science has some answers. 

Empathy

Why We Sometimes Feel Good When Bad Things Happen to Others

Jen Kim on October 19, 2020

Why you feel good when bad things happen to others, and why it’s OK.

Why you feel good when bad things happen to others, and why it’s OK.

Career

Does It Pay to Be a Jerk?

Jen Kim on October 12, 2020

Shut up and read this. Here's why it doesn’t pay to be aggressive in the workplace.

Shut up and read this. Here's why it doesn’t pay to be aggressive in the workplace.

Relationships

The Case for Playing Hard to Get

Jen Kim on September 1, 2020

When it comes to securing a mate, we want a challenge. 

When it comes to securing a mate, we want a challenge. 

Mindfulness

The Secret to Mastering Acceptance

Jen Kim on August 17, 2020

Don't try to change things you can't control—do this instead.

Don't try to change things you can't control—do this instead.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

What We Forgot About History's Deadliest Pandemic

Jen Kim on July 27, 2020

Déjà flu? Much of what we're experiencing with COVID-19 already happened to us a century ago,

Déjà flu? Much of what we're experiencing with COVID-19 already happened to us a century ago,

Relationships

5 Unexpected Facts About Kissing

Jen Kim on July 6, 2020

Here's why couples move to the right when they kiss.

Here's why couples move to the right when they kiss.

Mating

A Practical Guide for Dating During a Pandemic 

Jen Kim on May 18, 2020

Why we're wired to fall in love during pandemics and how to do it safely.

Why we're wired to fall in love during pandemics and how to do it safely.