Some recent studies have shown that human beings are actually hard-wired to gossip, and that gossip serves a social function in helping us bond with others. But do the negative consequences of gossip outweigh the positive ones?
Tag Archives: People
The 12 cognitive biases that prevent you from being rational
We may think we make our decisions in a rational way, based on the facts, but it turns out that our brains have other ideas.
Why Taking Breaks Will Help You Get More Work Done
Through this quick animation, discover why breaking up your work will make you more productive. Be sure to try out some of the tips for yourself!
Indian Country Diaries: Pow Wow Culture
Pow wows are events in which Native Americans can express their cultural heritage through dance and foster a sense of community. Traditional pow wows have been around for hundreds of years, but a newer kind of intertribal event has become popular recently. Read about how the two forms coexist in today’s pow wow culture.
The Sea Women of South Korea
Read about the women in the South Korean island province of Jeju who make their living from diving to collect seafood from the ocean floor using no breathing equipment.
A 13-year-old eagle huntress in Mongolia
Using golden eagles to hunt is an ancient tradition in the Altai mountains of Mongolia. Meet Ashol-Pan, who might be the only girl learning this challenging skill.
Willingness to take risks: A personality trait
Researchers from Universität Basel have found evidence that willingness to take risks is a personality trait. They call for other researchers to ensure their measurements of risk include many types of situations.
Wheat People vs. Rice People
Anthropologist T.M. Luhrmann analyzes the independence and interdependence displayed in different cultures.
How Praise Became a Consolation Prize
Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck discusses the latest version of her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, in which she futher explains the concept of growth mindset.
What Animals Taught Me About Being Human
Helen Macdonald, author of the best-selling memoir H is for Hawk, wonders about the desires and needs of animals. She suggests we can only imagine what they can be through our own lens of human experience.
Most Millennials Are Finding It Hard to Transition Into Adulthood: Report
This article points out that members of the millennial generation face a number of challenges as they adjust to life as adults in “the real world.”
No, Where Are You Really From?
Click this link to read and hear about some of the experiences Americans have had when questioned about their cultural backgrounds and identities.
10 Steps to Fighting Injustice Through Social Media
Hashtag activism has brought a wide range of pressing issues to the forefront of people’s consciousness. Here are some tips for fighting injustice by starting a social media movement of your own.
The Kindness of Strangers
A psychology professor tries to get to the bottom of why we do good things for others, even when these acts don’t seem to benefit us directly.
How the homeless create homes
Although some people may view the homeless as very different from themselves, we all find ways to make a place for ourselves in the world.
Between Boredom and Terror: One U.S. Soldier’s Letters from Afghanistan
Letters home from soldiers reveal a mix of the mundane and the devastating. Learn about a book in which one soldier compiled letters documenting his unlikely military journey.
The Healing Power of Animals
Do you have any pets in your family? Excluding chewing of furniture…do you ever get a sense of the benefits a pet like a dog can bring to your family’s health and well being? Bonding with pets can promote emotional, physical and social benefits.
Dashrath Manjhi Road
Dashrath Manjhi, also known as “Mountain Man” spent 22 years carving a road through a mountain with hammer and chisel in Bihar, India. Read about what drove him to do this painstaking work and the long lasting impact it had on the people of his village.
A Chinese perspective on Autumn
Scenes of colorful leaves dropping to the ground typically signify Fall. But, not to everyone. To the Chinese, Fall (or Autumn) represents the color white among other connotations.
Fall Seed Saving Tips
The seed for the Edible Schoolyard Project was sown 20 years ago at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California! The concept is that the garden is an interactive classroom. Read this article from the ESY about collecting seeds in the Fall.