psychology

Why The Color Pink Calms Prison Inmates With Adam Alter

Rachel Solomon — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:00:00 +0000

Pepto-Bismol pink is a color sometimes used in prisons to calm inmates. People with names that start with K are more likely to donate to victims of Hurricane Katrina than Hurricane Rita. Professional cyclists pedal faster when people are watching.

A variety of external factors influence our thoughts, feelings, and decisions, says Adam Alter, a professor of psychology at NYU and the author of “Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave.”

He spoke about the degree to which our environment shapes who we are at Seattle’s Town Hall on April 2, 2013.

Weekday Archive: Taj Mahal And Steven Pinker

Weekday with Steve Scher — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Our spring membership drive rolls along with two of our favorite interviews: two-time Grammy winning musician Taj Mahal joined us late last year to celebrate 40 years in music and a new retrospective album, "Maestro." Plus, we listen back to a conversation with Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker about his book, "The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window Into Human Nature."

The Science Of Songs You Can't Escape

Amber Cortes — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:29:54 +0000

It sounds shocking, but earworms are an epidemic that affect at least 90 percent of people as often as once a week. That’s according to a Goldsmiths University study. But before you go logging onto WebMD, fear not! These earworms are more commonly referred to as songs, regular old songs — often radio hits or catchy grooves that burrow deep within the human brain. For instance, maybe you've been visited by this hungry earworm:

What Are Your Blindspots?

Ross Reynolds — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:40:00 +0000

What are our hidden biases or blind spots, and how can they divert us from doing what we think is right? Ross Reynolds interviews University of Washington psychology professor Anthony Greenwald, co-author of the new book "Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People."

"The Wisdom Of Psychopaths" With Kevin Dutton

Rachel Solomon — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 04:00:00 +0000

"Psychopath" is a weighted, sometimes terrifying word. But psychologist Kevin Dutton makes the argument that not all psychopaths are violent. In fact, some of their qualities -- fearlessness, confidence, charisma -- set them up for success in today's society. Dutton spoke at Seattle's Town Hall on Oct. 30, 2012.

Your Surgeon May Be A Psychopath (But Don’t Worry)

David Hyde — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:00:00 +0000

The psychopath Hannibal Lecter in the movie "Silence of the Lambs" is ruthless. But he’s also charming, persuasive and highly intelligent. Cambridge psychology professor Kevin Dutton says when psychopaths don’t turn violent they can become very successful as CEOs, surgeons, or in other professions. His latest book is "The Wisdom Of Psychopaths."

"How Children Succeed" With Paul Tough

Rachel Solomon — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 18:52:22 +0000

Character, not IQ, is the most important predictor of a child's success. That's what Paul Tough argues in his new book, "How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character."

Tough uses research in neuroscience, economics and psychology to advocate a new way of thinking about children's success. He spoke at Seattle's Town Hall on September 20, 2012.