Why do we grieve? The surprising origin of the feeling of loss
17 November 2021
The debilitating pain we sometimes feel at the loss of those we love is an evolutionary mystery. It could all come down to what happens in our childhoods
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Premium
Why are we good and evil? A single quality may be at the root of it
17 November 2021
The human capacity for both good and evil has long mystified philosophers. Evolutionary biology suggests they are both offshoots of one of our oddest character traits
The surprising upsides of spite and how to harness them
1 September 2021
In an era of social media cancelling, our nasty side has never been more prominent. But the latest research suggests that, when wielded right, petty ill will can be a force for good
The reason we love to gather around the TV lies in Stone Age embers
16 December 2020
Watching TV and staring at flickering flames produce similar physiological effects, offering intriguing clues to the enduring power of entertainment – and the origins of sociability
Can nudge theory really stop covid-19 by changing our behaviour?
6 May 2020
Human behaviour is key to the spread of coronavirus, so government scientists are trying to control our decisions. Does it work, and what happens when they get it wrong?
When a smile is not a smile – what our facial expressions really mean
12 February 2020
Smiling and other facial expressions aren't displays of feelings that transcend cultures but turn out to be full of hidden meaning
Why it’s time to call time on the ‘nature vs nurture’ debate
11 December 2019
How much of our make-up is predetermined by our genes, and how much by our environment? The truth is that we're asking entirely the wrong question
Altruism 2.0: How to use science to make charitable acts go further
4 December 2019
Effective altruists use evidence and reason to maximise the impact of their kindness. Joshua Howgego follows their lead to see if it can help him do good better
The world is getting better, so why are we convinced otherwise?
4 September 2019
We need a better handle on our ignorance if we want to improve our lives, says Ola Rosling, a proponent of factfulness - holding only opinions supported by strong facts
How humans evolved to be both shockingly violent and super-cooperative
13 February 2019
The origins of our paradoxical nature lie in murder and self-domestication. It's a weird story that may even explain why our species came into existence
