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Talking Apes

How natural selection reprogrammed the brain for language

Polyamory
Why Some Couples Choose Polyamory

David Ludden Ph.D. on April 29, 2024

New research suggests that people seek a polyamorous lifestyle because they want to live authentically according to their non-monogamous nature.

New research suggests that people seek a polyamorous lifestyle because they want to live authentically according to their non-monogamous nature.

Relationships
How to Be a Better Listener

David Ludden Ph.D. on March 11, 2024

You can build feelings of emotional closeness with your conversation partner when you adjust your listening style to the situation.

You can build feelings of emotional closeness with your conversation partner when you adjust your listening style to the situation.

Leadership
Why Leaders Need Flexible Communication Skills

David Ludden Ph.D. on January 28, 2024

Leaders spend much of their time talking with subordinates, but to be effective, they need to adjust their communication style based on what they want to accomplish.

Leaders spend much of their time talking with subordinates, but to be effective, they need to adjust their communication style based on what they want to accomplish.

Sex
How to Deal With Erectile Dysfunction

David Ludden Ph.D. on January 9, 2024

The experience of erectile dysfunction can be pretty distressing, but it doesn’t have to spell the end of a couple’s sex life.

The experience of erectile dysfunction can be pretty distressing, but it doesn’t have to spell the end of a couple’s sex life.

Social Life
Why You Reveal More Than You Know You Should

David Ludden Ph.D. on November 27, 2023

People often make inappropriate personal disclosures on social media that come back to harm them. Could it be that we have an innate drive to disclose?

People often make inappropriate personal disclosures on social media that come back to harm them. Could it be that we have an innate drive to disclose?

Loneliness
How to Decrease Feelings of Loneliness

David Ludden Ph.D. on September 22, 2023

We’re more connected than ever, but we also feel much lonelier than before. Online exchanges may not be as satisfying, but quality also counts.

We’re more connected than ever, but we also feel much lonelier than before. Online exchanges may not be as satisfying, but quality also counts.

Bias
Why People Today Say They Feel Younger Than Ever

David Ludden Ph.D. on July 12, 2023

More and more older people today report that they feel younger than their age, even though they are approaching the final years of their lives.

More and more older people today report that they feel younger than their age, even though they are approaching the final years of their lives.

Sexual Orientation
Can You Tell if a Man Is Bisexual Just From His Voice?

David Ludden Ph.D. on May 24, 2023

The ability to identify a man as gay just from his voice is well-documented. Researchers now ask if bisexual men can also be identified by voice alone, with surprising results.

The ability to identify a man as gay just from his voice is well-documented. Researchers now ask if bisexual men can also be identified by voice alone, with surprising results.

Gender
What Is Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria?

David Ludden Ph.D. on May 4, 2023

Sex researchers have known about gender dysphoria in childhood and adulthood for over a century. But the cause of rapid-onset gender dysphoria is still fiercely debated.

Sex researchers have known about gender dysphoria in childhood and adulthood for over a century. But the cause of rapid-onset gender dysphoria is still fiercely debated.

First Impressions
How to Make a Good First Impression

David Ludden Ph.D. on April 20, 2023

There’s plenty of advice on how to make a good first impression, much of it contradictory. New research shows which strategy works best.

There’s plenty of advice on how to make a good first impression, much of it contradictory. New research shows which strategy works best.

Genetics
Is There a “Gay Gene"?

David Ludden Ph.D. on March 13, 2023

Sexual orientation is shaped in prenatal development, but science shows that there are not only many ways of becoming gay but also many ways of being gay.

Sexual orientation is shaped in prenatal development, but science shows that there are not only many ways of becoming gay but also many ways of being gay.

Social Life
How to Be an Effective Listener

David Ludden Ph.D. on March 6, 2023

Half of communication is listening—but we also need to send our conversation partners authentic signals that they’ve been heard.

Half of communication is listening—but we also need to send our conversation partners authentic signals that they’ve been heard.

Attention
Why We Should Practice "Critical Ignoring" in the Digital Age

David Ludden Ph.D. on February 24, 2023

The internet is full of attention-grabbing, yet low-quality information. However, honing “critical ignoring” skills can keep you mentally healthy in the digital age.

The internet is full of attention-grabbing, yet low-quality information. However, honing “critical ignoring” skills can keep you mentally healthy in the digital age.

Mandela Effect
Testing the Visual Mandela Effect

David Ludden Ph.D. on February 7, 2023

Many people have similar false memories of cultural icons like logos and cartoon characters. New research investigates why the "visual Mandela effect" occurs.

Many people have similar false memories of cultural icons like logos and cartoon characters. New research investigates why the "visual Mandela effect" occurs.