Brain Trust

Mating

Why Some People Are So Eager to Show Off Their Workouts

Garth Sundem on January 29, 2019

Do people who post workout pictures want a love connection, but feel bad about their chances?

Do people who post workout pictures want a love connection, but feel bad about their chances?

Motivation

17 Tips for a Mindful Family Vacation

Garth Sundem on July 1, 2017

For example, make it about people. Rather than thinking of your vacation as a list of places, could you tell the story of your vacation as a series of connections?

For example, make it about people. Rather than thinking of your vacation as a list of places, could you tell the story of your vacation as a series of connections?

Adolescence

Novel by 20-Year-Old Is an Honest Look at Teen Mental Health

Garth Sundem on January 18, 2017

"I hope that reading about characters who struggle will help people see that it's okay to struggle," says 20-year-old author Jennifer Yu.

"I hope that reading about characters who struggle will help people see that it's okay to struggle," says 20-year-old author Jennifer Yu.

Suicide

When Is Life No Longer “Life”?

Garth Sundem on October 12, 2016

With End-of-Life initiatives on many ballots, here's what "Sister Cities" director, Sean Hanish, has learned about assisted suicide and when "life" is no longer "life".

With End-of-Life initiatives on many ballots, here's what "Sister Cities" director, Sean Hanish, has learned about assisted suicide and when "life" is no longer "life".

Sleep

The 4 Stages of Unplugging a Child's Brain

Garth Sundem on July 15, 2016

We've all seen research on kids and screen time. Here's what it really looks like to unplug.

We've all seen research on kids and screen time. Here's what it really looks like to unplug.

Anxiety

What to Do About Math Anxiety?

Garth Sundem on May 11, 2016

Your brain and surroundings can both cause and cure math anxiety.

Your brain and surroundings can both cause and cure math anxiety.

Genetics

Are Creativity and Madness Written Together in Your Genes?

Garth Sundem on May 4, 2016

A study in Nature Neuroscience shows that creativity and madness may share the same genetic underpinnings.

A study in Nature Neuroscience shows that creativity and madness may share the same genetic underpinnings.

Infidelity

The Bright Side Of Being Cheated On, Dumped & Replaced

Garth Sundem on April 27, 2016

Study of 5,705 women in 96 countries shows that women who are cheated on win in the long run.

Study of 5,705 women in 96 countries shows that women who are cheated on win in the long run.

Motivation

Here's How Rewarding Good Behavior Leads to Bad Behavior

Garth Sundem on April 26, 2016

Positive reinforcement is a cornerstone of parenting. Unfortunately, a new study shows it can have the opposite effect.

Positive reinforcement is a cornerstone of parenting. Unfortunately, a new study shows it can have the opposite effect.

Mating

A Surprising Secret of Attraction

Garth Sundem on April 2, 2016

Want to be attractive on a first date or on Tinder? "People who are seen in expansive, open nonverbal displays enjoy increases in others’ romantic attraction," writes a new study.

Want to be attractive on a first date or on Tinder? "People who are seen in expansive, open nonverbal displays enjoy increases in others’ romantic attraction," writes a new study.

Trust

Should You Trust Your Insight?

Garth Sundem on March 8, 2016

Without really knowing where an insight solution comes from, can you trust it?

Without really knowing where an insight solution comes from, can you trust it?

Happiness

How to Stop Passing Unfairness to Your Partner

Garth Sundem on March 1, 2016

When someone treats you unfairly, should you speak up or move on to avoid acting unfairly yourself?

When someone treats you unfairly, should you speak up or move on to avoid acting unfairly yourself?

Narcissism

What Kind of Person is Besties With a Narcissist?

Garth Sundem on February 23, 2016

It may not be that narcissists seek versions of themselves, but that they can't help but be stuck with themselves.

It may not be that narcissists seek versions of themselves, but that they can't help but be stuck with themselves.

Memory

Why Is Your Child Good (Or Bad...) at Both Math and Reading?

Garth Sundem on February 3, 2016

Why do reading and math go together? Is it general intelligence boosting both? Study skills? Tiger parenting? A new study pinpoints this skill...and it's not general intelligence.

Why do reading and math go together? Is it general intelligence boosting both? Study skills? Tiger parenting? A new study pinpoints this skill...and it's not general intelligence.

Persuasion

Study Fact-Checks Influence of Immigration on Jobs

Garth Sundem on January 26, 2016

Research shows that the diversity from immigration leads to wage growth and higher productivity in STEM fields.

Research shows that the diversity from immigration leads to wage growth and higher productivity in STEM fields.

Creativity

Does Creativity Come From Persistence or Flexibility?

Garth Sundem on January 20, 2016

If you think broadly, you will find creative ideas among irrelevant ones. If you think deeply, you will eventually dig through mundane ideas and into original ones below.

If you think broadly, you will find creative ideas among irrelevant ones. If you think deeply, you will eventually dig through mundane ideas and into original ones below.

Sport and Competition

Should We Protect Our Kids From the Stress of Youth Sports?

Garth Sundem on January 12, 2016

Kids sobbed as they exited the climbing competition through what my wife aptly named the “Tunnel of Tears”. And into this mix, we send our kind, humble 9-year-old?

Kids sobbed as they exited the climbing competition through what my wife aptly named the “Tunnel of Tears”. And into this mix, we send our kind, humble 9-year-old?

Stress

Research Finds Faults in Santa Claus Workplace Safety

Garth Sundem on December 22, 2015

Society systematically fails to consider issues of workplace safety that affect Santa Claus and his ungulate co-workers every Christmas Eve. A new paper rights this wrong.

Society systematically fails to consider issues of workplace safety that affect Santa Claus and his ungulate co-workers every Christmas Eve. A new paper rights this wrong.

Religion

Does Religion Protect Against Holiday Blues?

Garth Sundem on December 8, 2015

Study finds that "the Christmas period is related to a decrease in life satisfaction and emotional well-being." But not among very religious Christians...

Study finds that "the Christmas period is related to a decrease in life satisfaction and emotional well-being." But not among very religious Christians...

Personality

Online Games Show Player Personality And How To Change It

Garth Sundem on December 2, 2015

You bring some of your personality into online games...and soon the game may put a bit of itself into your personality.

You bring some of your personality into online games...and soon the game may put a bit of itself into your personality.