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Understanding the human animal in the workplace

Laughter
Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on October 5, 2012

How does laughter affect your brain? A recent study suggests that laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones, in the brain which makes you more resistant to pain.

How does laughter affect your brain? A recent study suggests that laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones, in the brain which makes you more resistant to pain.

Anger
Should Leaders Show Emotion?

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on August 30, 2012

Should leaders express their emotions in public? Psychological research suggests this is not a good idea because of the risk of being seen as emotionally unstable. But a positive emotion works better than a negative emotion provided the emotion is authentic.

Should leaders express their emotions in public? Psychological research suggests this is not a good idea because of the risk of being seen as emotionally unstable. But a positive emotion works better than a negative emotion provided the emotion is authentic.

Deception
What's Wrong with Social Psychology?

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on July 24, 2012

After the high profile case of social psychologist Diederik Stapel in August 2011, which I discussed in a previous blog, two further cases involving social psychologists were recently brought to light. What's wrong with our discipline and how can we repair it.

After the high profile case of social psychologist Diederik Stapel in August 2011, which I discussed in a previous blog, two further cases involving social psychologists were recently brought to light. What's wrong with our discipline and how can we repair it.

Environment
Are We Hardwired to Damage the Environment?

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on June 20, 2012

This week's environmental summit in Rio should offer a roadmap towards a sustainable future for our planet. Research shows however that humans are not hardwired to be green. Only with a sound understanding of how the human mind works can we bring out enduring changes in our environmental behaviors.

This week's environmental summit in Rio should offer a roadmap towards a sustainable future for our planet. Research shows however that humans are not hardwired to be green. Only with a sound understanding of how the human mind works can we bring out enduring changes in our environmental behaviors.

Testosterone
What Do Your Fingers Tell

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on May 28, 2012

What do your fingers tell about your personality and sexuality? New research on finger digit ratios suggests that hand reading is becoming a serious science wih possible implications for partner choice and personnel selection.

What do your fingers tell about your personality and sexuality? New research on finger digit ratios suggests that hand reading is becoming a serious science wih possible implications for partner choice and personnel selection.

Charisma
Can Charisma Be Taught?

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on May 5, 2012

New research suggests that charisma can be taught. Here are ten tips to improve your charisma and become a more effective manager, politician, coach, or parent.

New research suggests that charisma can be taught. Here are ten tips to improve your charisma and become a more effective manager, politician, coach, or parent.

Follower instincts
Ethics and Morality
Natural Born Followers

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on April 15, 2012

Followership is the default setting in our brain and it begins when we are still in our nappies. Unfortunately we sometimes follow the wrong kind of leaders.

Followership is the default setting in our brain and it begins when we are still in our nappies. Unfortunately we sometimes follow the wrong kind of leaders.

Appetite
The Social Psychology Behind the Hunger Games

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on March 27, 2012

A great way to teach our students important theories and concepts in psychology is through the use of fiction. Drawing from plots and themes of well-known novels or movies can help them gain insight into important psychological phenomena such as memory (Memento), autism (Rain Man), leadership (Braveheart) or prejudice (The Color Purple).

A great way to teach our students important theories and concepts in psychology is through the use of fiction. Drawing from plots and themes of well-known novels or movies can help them gain insight into important psychological phenomena such as memory (Memento), autism (Rain Man), leadership (Braveheart) or prejudice (The Color Purple).

Charisma
Charismatic Leadership: The X-Factor in Politics

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on March 8, 2012

People around the world seem to agree on which leaders possess that unique X-factor leadership quality, personal charisma. Jesus and Buddha had it. Obama had it, but may have lost it. The good news is: Charisma can be taught.

People around the world seem to agree on which leaders possess that unique X-factor leadership quality, personal charisma. Jesus and Buddha had it. Obama had it, but may have lost it. The good news is: Charisma can be taught.

Sex
Is the Male Sex Drive the Cause of Wars?

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on February 9, 2012

Why are humans so tribal and why do tribal wars almost always involve men as both perpetrators and victims? Our latest research suggests that men maybe biologically programmed to be warriors.

Why are humans so tribal and why do tribal wars almost always involve men as both perpetrators and victims? Our latest research suggests that men maybe biologically programmed to be warriors.

Leadership
The Sound of Leadership

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on December 10, 2011

Why do we prefer John as manager over Mary? Why does CEO Peter earn more money than CEO Matthew? The surprising answer is that their voice may have something to do with it. New research shows that we prefer leaders with low voice pitches. Deep voiced leaders also earn more money. So, do you have the voice of a leader?

Why do we prefer John as manager over Mary? Why does CEO Peter earn more money than CEO Matthew? The surprising answer is that their voice may have something to do with it. New research shows that we prefer leaders with low voice pitches. Deep voiced leaders also earn more money. So, do you have the voice of a leader?

Psychology
What to Do About Scientific Fraud in Psychology?

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on September 10, 2011

After the high profile case of Marc Hauser, the Harvard psychologist found guilty of serious scientific misconduct there is the recent case of my colleague, Diederik Stapel, a social psychology professor in the Netherlands who has been suspended by his university after admitting to have fabricated experimental data over a prolonged period.


After the high profile case of Marc Hauser, the Harvard psychologist found guilty of serious scientific misconduct there is the recent case of my colleague, Diederik Stapel, a social psychology professor in the Netherlands who has been suspended by his university after admitting to have fabricated experimental data over a prolonged period.


Infidelity
Little White Eyes: Could Your Spouse Tell Whether You're Unfaithful?

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on July 23, 2011

Could you tell by looking at his face that Arnold Schwarzenegger had been unfaithful? What about David Beckham? Deceit isn't always sexually motivated: James Murdoch is now accused of misremembering e-mail exchanges in the ongoing phone-hacking scandal.

Could you tell by looking at his face that Arnold Schwarzenegger had been unfaithful? What about David Beckham? Deceit isn't always sexually motivated: James Murdoch is now accused of misremembering e-mail exchanges in the ongoing phone-hacking scandal.

Leadership
Are You a Natural Born Leader or Manager?

Mark Van Vugt Ph.D. on June 28, 2011

Imagine being at an interview for a high-level job, and being asked to provide a syringe of blood, or a cheek swab. It's not to test you for illicit drugs but to analyse your DNA.

Imagine being at an interview for a high-level job, and being asked to provide a syringe of blood, or a cheek swab. It's not to test you for illicit drugs but to analyse your DNA.