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The Animal Connection

A new perspective on what makes us human.

Genetics
When is a Wolf Not a Wolf?

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on November 15, 2013

When did humans domesticate dogs from wolves? How would you know?

When did humans domesticate dogs from wolves? How would you know?

Autism
The Pain of Autism

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on September 18, 2013

Why would a mother be driven to suicide while trying to get help for a severely autistic and violent child?

Why would a mother be driven to suicide while trying to get help for a severely autistic and violent child?

Ethics and Morality
The Roots of Evil and Violence

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on June 15, 2013

What caused Adam Lazka to murder 26 people in Newtown Ct.? Was he simply evil? Or was it something more subtle and more fundamental?

What caused Adam Lazka to murder 26 people in Newtown Ct.? Was he simply evil? Or was it something more subtle and more fundamental?

Parenting
The Chicken or the Egg? Is a Bird a Bird or a Dinosaur?

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on April 23, 2013

Analysis of dinosaur eggs like this one yielded unexpected evidence that meat-eating dinosaurs brooded their eggs like most modern birds do.

Analysis of dinosaur eggs like this one yielded unexpected evidence that meat-eating dinosaurs brooded their eggs like most modern birds do.

Wisdom
Betrayal and Disappointment

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on March 26, 2013

Is it ever right to do wrong to accomplish a good end? A new book by Jane Goodall and Gail Hudson, due to be published April 2, is held up by accusations of plagiarism.

Is it ever right to do wrong to accomplish a good end? A new book by Jane Goodall and Gail Hudson, due to be published April 2, is held up by accusations of plagiarism.

Animal Behavior
My Cat Is a Serial Killer

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on February 15, 2013

This the face of a serial killer. Is she simply doing her job or is she decimating the ecosystem?

This the face of a serial killer. Is she simply doing her job or is she decimating the ecosystem?

Ethics and Morality
The Roots of Evil and Violence

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on December 19, 2012

What caused Adam Lanza to murder 26 people in Newtown? Was he simply evil? Or was it something more subtle and more fundamental?

What caused Adam Lanza to murder 26 people in Newtown? Was he simply evil? Or was it something more subtle and more fundamental?

Trust
Just Who Is Endangered?

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on November 19, 2012

The death of a toddler at a zoo and a bonobo at a research facility remind us that life in never safe. Who is responsible?

The death of a toddler at a zoo and a bonobo at a research facility remind us that life in never safe. Who is responsible?

Environment
Are We Being Set Up For Fatal Mistakes?

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on October 12, 2012

Why do we ignore safety warnings and act like the wilderness is our backyard? Danger and death are part of nature.

Why do we ignore safety warnings and act like the wilderness is our backyard? Danger and death are part of nature.

Cognition
Who Belongs Behind Bars?

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on October 12, 2012

Great apes are intelligent, social, sensitive, immensely strong, and dangerous. Is it ever moral to confine such animals to captivity for life?

Great apes are intelligent, social, sensitive, immensely strong, and dangerous. Is it ever moral to confine such animals to captivity for life?

Fear
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on September 11, 2012

One of the greatest conservation triumphs—the return of the gray wolf to the western U.S.—is also endangering the species anew. What is the right thing to do?

One of the greatest conservation triumphs—the return of the gray wolf to the western U.S.—is also endangering the species anew. What is the right thing to do?

Environment
Are We Being Set Up for Fatal Mistakes?

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on August 9, 2012

Why do we ignore safety warnings and act like the wilderness is a suburban backyard? Danger and death are part of nature.

Why do we ignore safety warnings and act like the wilderness is a suburban backyard? Danger and death are part of nature.

Sex
The Heart of Darkness in State College

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on June 28, 2012

Pedophilia scandals at two prestigious schools lay bare the heart of darkness that lay hidden, undiscussed, and unacknowledged for so long.

Pedophilia scandals at two prestigious schools lay bare the heart of darkness that lay hidden, undiscussed, and unacknowledged for so long.

The earliest musical instruments
Relationships
If Music Be the Food of Love

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on May 30, 2012

Why did modern humans survive the climatic deterioration in Paleolithic Europe, when Neandertals went extinct? Did music help?

Why did modern humans survive the climatic deterioration in Paleolithic Europe, when Neandertals went extinct? Did music help?

Health
Should I Have Said Something?

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on May 8, 2012

Marfan is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue that holds our bodies together. Marfan can play a role in many health problems, most especially in the heart, eyes, and joints. I long suspected my friend might have it. Should I have said something?

Marfan is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue that holds our bodies together. Marfan can play a role in many health problems, most especially in the heart, eyes, and joints. I long suspected my friend might have it. Should I have said something?

Motivation
Why Do People Cheat and Lie?

Pat Shipman Ph.D. on March 14, 2012

Why would someone commit the greatest scientific hoax in paleoanthropology?

Why would someone commit the greatest scientific hoax in paleoanthropology?

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The Perfectionism Trap

When we fall prey to perfectionism, we think we’re honorably aspiring to be our very best, but often we’re really just setting ourselves up for failure, as perfection is impossible and its pursuit inevitably backfires.

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