Wild Connections

Animal Behavior

What Is Home and How Do You Get There?

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on December 7, 2020

From staying home to going home or finding home, who we are is inextricably tied to a sense of place.

From staying home to going home or finding home, who we are is inextricably tied to a sense of place.

Behavioral Economics

Swindling Others Is a Strategy

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on November 4, 2020

Is there a kleptoparasite in your midst? How to protect yourself from being swindled.

Is there a kleptoparasite in your midst? How to protect yourself from being swindled.

Animal Behavior

The Core Traits of Master Manipulators

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on October 10, 2020

Human manipulators and natural parasites have a few things in common, and discerning whether or not you are being manipulated is a critical skill.

Human manipulators and natural parasites have a few things in common, and discerning whether or not you are being manipulated is a critical skill.

Pregnancy

3 Surprising Ways Dads Connect With Their Kids

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 19, 2020

How important are dads? A look at how they bond with their kids provides a clue.

How important are dads? A look at how they bond with their kids provides a clue.

Empathy

What Parrots Can Teach Us About Kindness and Tolerance

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on March 14, 2020

When it comes to going out of your way to help someone out, even a stranger, it's the African grey parrot that shows us the way.

When it comes to going out of your way to help someone out, even a stranger, it's the African grey parrot that shows us the way.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Curbing COVID-19 Transmission

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on March 7, 2020

When it comes to slowing down the transmission of COVID-19, what does social distancing really mean, and why does it work? A look at what we know from animal social networks.

When it comes to slowing down the transmission of COVID-19, what does social distancing really mean, and why does it work? A look at what we know from animal social networks.

Relationships

4 Reasons to Change Our Perception of Re-Gifting

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on December 29, 2019

Did you receive a gift you don't like or that would be perfect for someone else? Here are a few reasons why regifting should be trendy.

Did you receive a gift you don't like or that would be perfect for someone else? Here are a few reasons why regifting should be trendy.

Cognition

3 Ways to Improve Your Cognitive Flexibility

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on December 3, 2019

Is your everyday routine ruining your ability to adapt? A few small changes can help increase your cognitive flexibility.

Is your everyday routine ruining your ability to adapt? A few small changes can help increase your cognitive flexibility.

Oxytocin

The Upside of Eating Together

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on November 29, 2019

How opening your home to others for a meal can foster a sense of community, support, and well-being.

How opening your home to others for a meal can foster a sense of community, support, and well-being.

Relationships

Are You Feeling Neglected in Your Relationship?

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on September 12, 2019

Here is how you can take charge and bring about positive change—by thinking about animals!

Here is how you can take charge and bring about positive change—by thinking about animals!

Relationships

Relationship Yellow Flags

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on August 22, 2019

When dating, the more attuned you becomes the easier it will be to pick up on these subtle signs of trouble.

When dating, the more attuned you becomes the easier it will be to pick up on these subtle signs of trouble.

OCD

Why Being Organized Matters

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on August 4, 2019

Do you struggle to stay organized? Or are you neat and tidy but live with someone who rarely cleans? A few adjustments can go a long way.

Do you struggle to stay organized? Or are you neat and tidy but live with someone who rarely cleans? A few adjustments can go a long way.

Mating

3 Sure Signs That a Relationship Is Developing

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on July 24, 2019

Is he or she truly into you? A few clear signals tell you all you need to know.

Is he or she truly into you? A few clear signals tell you all you need to know.

Leadership

Strong Leadership

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on July 11, 2019

Some “leaders” try to accomplish things by force and fear. This is highly unstable and it doesn’t support cooperation. What are the signs, then, of effective leadership?

Some “leaders” try to accomplish things by force and fear. This is highly unstable and it doesn’t support cooperation. What are the signs, then, of effective leadership?

Career

Simple Strategies for Dealing With a Lazy Coworker

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 16, 2019

Is there a way to address co-workers that don't pull their own weight and still come out on top. A few small changes can make all the difference.

Is there a way to address co-workers that don't pull their own weight and still come out on top. A few small changes can make all the difference.

Relationships

How to Connect With Your Partner

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on February 18, 2019

There may not be one complete recipe for success, but with a few key ingredients, your relationship has a better chance of standing the test of time.

There may not be one complete recipe for success, but with a few key ingredients, your relationship has a better chance of standing the test of time.

Relationships

Negotiating Fairly

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on October 25, 2018

Do you find it hard to negotiate and compromise? A few tips can pave the way for success.

Do you find it hard to negotiate and compromise? A few tips can pave the way for success.

Grief

Grief, Interrupted

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on October 11, 2018

Are you unsure of how to be there for others while they are grieving? Here's what you can do to support and comfort those dealing with loss.

Are you unsure of how to be there for others while they are grieving? Here's what you can do to support and comfort those dealing with loss.

Decision-Making

3 Strategies for Better Decision-Making

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on July 15, 2018

Uncertainty poses a problem for us and other species when it comes to making important decisions, but a few tried and true strategies can mitigate risks and maximize rewards.

Uncertainty poses a problem for us and other species when it comes to making important decisions, but a few tried and true strategies can mitigate risks and maximize rewards.

Career

Why Does Fairness Matter?

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on March 16, 2018

We are capable of detecting inequality instantly and are extremely sensitive to it, yet we insist that life isn’t fair. Is that reasonable?

We are capable of detecting inequality instantly and are extremely sensitive to it, yet we insist that life isn’t fair. Is that reasonable?