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Under the Influence

How power, status, and social hierarchy shape us.

Parenting
The Daddy Chronicles II: Immune Function

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on July 18, 2013

Sometimes we think of children as sticky little disease vectors. And yet, despite all the runny noses and spit ups, parents have boosted immune systems relative to non-parents of the same age. In today's post I consider why this might be the case!

Sometimes we think of children as sticky little disease vectors. And yet, despite all the runny noses and spit ups, parents have boosted immune systems relative to non-parents of the same age. In today's post I consider why this might be the case!

Testosterone
The Daddy Chronicles: What Happened to My Testosterone?

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on July 16, 2013

New fatherhood comes with many life changes. What surprised me (and still does quite frankly) is how much it changes your hormones and biology. In particular, testosterone decreases in new fathers. Find out why in today's post.

New fatherhood comes with many life changes. What surprised me (and still does quite frankly) is how much it changes your hormones and biology. In particular, testosterone decreases in new fathers. Find out why in today's post.

Stress
Do Professors Live a Stress-Free Life?

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on July 12, 2013

A few months ago, Forbes magazine published a list of the least stressful jobs in 2013. At the very top of the list was the college professor. Is Forbes right about stress in the ivory tower?

A few months ago, Forbes magazine published a list of the least stressful jobs in 2013. At the very top of the list was the college professor. Is Forbes right about stress in the ivory tower?

Genetics
Do Genes Influence Personality?

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on July 11, 2013

We all know that genes influence personality. The problem is developing the right paradigm that can accurately answer the question, "how much?"

We all know that genes influence personality. The problem is developing the right paradigm that can accurately answer the question, "how much?"

Attachment
Psychology at the Movies

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on December 4, 2012

I have always loved the psychological drama that movies tackle in an intimate and provocative way. In this post I discuss psychological constructs in recent films like Looper, Skyfall, Cloud Atlas, and the Queen of Versailles. Enjoy!

I have always loved the psychological drama that movies tackle in an intimate and provocative way. In this post I discuss psychological constructs in recent films like Looper, Skyfall, Cloud Atlas, and the Queen of Versailles. Enjoy!

Oxytocin
Oxytocin and the Zombie Apocalypse

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on October 18, 2012

Researchers used to think oxytocin was the cuddle hormone. Oxytocin's relationship to sympathy and cooperation is more complicated than it's cute nickname suggests, but it's still critical for the survival of human beings and the passing on of their genes.

Researchers used to think oxytocin was the cuddle hormone. Oxytocin's relationship to sympathy and cooperation is more complicated than it's cute nickname suggests, but it's still critical for the survival of human beings and the passing on of their genes.

Productivity
Status Hierarchies: Do We Need Them?

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on October 2, 2012

It is difficult to think of examples of social groups or organizations that do not have a social hierarchy. This leads to the question: Why is that? Is hierarchy a natural part of human society?

It is difficult to think of examples of social groups or organizations that do not have a social hierarchy. This leads to the question: Why is that? Is hierarchy a natural part of human society?

Testosterone
Testosterone and Dominance

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on September 2, 2012

How do hormones relate to dominance behavior? The popular HBO series Game of Thrones provides some surprisingly accurate insights.

How do hormones relate to dominance behavior? The popular HBO series Game of Thrones provides some surprisingly accurate insights.

Personality
NOT Advice About Searching for an Academic Job

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on June 6, 2012

Last week I read Tal Yarkoni's excellent blog post on the things he learned during a failed academic job search last year. Reading that piece brought me back to my own memories of the two job searches I've attempted (one successful).

Last week I read Tal Yarkoni's excellent blog post on the things he learned during a failed academic job search last year. Reading that piece brought me back to my own memories of the two job searches I've attempted (one successful).

Career
A Game of Thrones: Lessons About Status

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on May 7, 2012

Attaining Status Can Be Like "A Game of Thrones." In this post I discuss how the popular television show and book series provides some unique insights into the achievement of status, power, and influence in face-to-face social groups.

Attaining Status Can Be Like "A Game of Thrones." In this post I discuss how the popular television show and book series provides some unique insights into the achievement of status, power, and influence in face-to-face social groups.

Intelligence
Intelligence Is Not (Just) Genetic

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on April 25, 2012

People (researchers included) often debate about whether intelligence is genetic or learned. Here I discuss why this is the wrong debate.

People (researchers included) often debate about whether intelligence is genetic or learned. Here I discuss why this is the wrong debate.

Happiness
The Happiness Chronicles II: Does Money Buy Happiness?

Michael W Kraus Ph.D. on April 3, 2012

This is the second installment in a three part series examining the pursuit of happiness. Last time we considered whether there is a potential dark side to happiness. In this post, we consider an important question: Does money buy happiness?

This is the second installment in a three part series examining the pursuit of happiness. Last time we considered whether there is a potential dark side to happiness. In this post, we consider an important question: Does money buy happiness?