The politically convenient, scientifically baseless theory that sexual assault so traumatized Christine Blasey Ford she mixed up her attacker is now something like common wisdom for many Republicans. President Trump explicitly endorsed the theory Saturday, shortly after Brett M. Kavanaugh was narrowly confirmed as a Supreme Court judge, telling reporters […] Read more »
In Psychology And Other Social Sciences, Many Studies Fail The Reproducibility Test
The world of social science got a rude awakening a few years ago, when researchers concluded that many studies in this area appeared to be deeply flawed. Two-thirds could not be replicated in other labs. Some of those same researchers now report those problems still frequently crop up, even in […] Read more »
Five things I learned about envy in politics
Why do some people seem to vote against their economic interests? Why do politicians enact policies that seem contrary to the interests of the people who vote for them? Why do people engage in protest when they could reap the benefits of others’ protest without having to get involved? These […] Read more »
Do You Like ‘Dogs Playing Poker’? Science Would Like to Know Why
… The mysteries of the aesthetic response, and the creative impulse, have become a burgeoning area of inquiry for scientific researchers across many disciplines. They hope quantifiable data and statistical analysis can help explain matters that some consider ineffable — like why we paint or sing, or why we naturally […] Read more »
Is the National ‘Mood’ the One in Polls or the One Online?
… In psychological terms, “mood” is a weather report for your personal emotions, a measure of balmy good cheer or dreary storms. But our emotions, naturally, are influenced by the same winds of change that blow on every other person’s. … The idea of scientifically measuring such moods traces back […] Read more »
Why are Democratic voters more approving of compromise than Republicans?
James Glaser, Tufts University and Jeffrey Berry, Tufts University At a time when political division is heightened and the parties in Washington are deeply polarized, it is worth asking whether there is any payoff for politicians to work together. Will they be rewarded by their constituents for getting things done, […] Read more »