Science Archives

In-Group Favoritism: We Look Out for Our Own Group

What is in-group favoritism? Is in-group favoritism necessarily a bad thing? In-group favoritism is a tendency to favor members of one’s in-group (e.g. in terms of race, ethnicity, culture, etc.) over members of out-groups. On the one hand, in-group favoritism is a good thing because it fosters bonding and cooperation. On the other hand, it causes unfair prejudice and irrational animosity towards members of out-groups. Keep reading to learn about the phenomenon of in-group favoritism, its biological underpinnings, and how to overcome it.

All Knowledge Is Good Knowledge—Here’s Why

Why is all knowledge good knowledge? What happens when truth becomes universal? In The Beginning of Infinity, theoretical physicist David Deutsch claims that all knowledge is significant. He cites two schools of thought to debate this claim: reductionism and holism. Read below to learn more about the importance of knowledge and if we’ll ever find universal truth.

The Concept of Infinity: What Does It Really Mean?

What is infinity? How can we easily understand the concept of infinity? Infinity is a hard concept to grasp logically. The Beginning of Infinity‘s author David Deutsch believes that the human mind has a natural aversion to it. That’s why he found a way of explaining it that anybody can understand. Read more to have a better understanding of infinity as a concept.

Hormones and Neurotransmitters in the Brain

What is a neurotransmitter? What are the key neurotransmitters that shape our behavior and moods? Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that pass on signals between the brain’s cells—neurons. Neurotransmitters play a key role in how you feel and act moment to moment. There are dozens of neurotransmitters at work in the human brain, but the most noteworthy ones are dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and testosterone. Let’s take a look at the major brain neurotransmitters and how they drive behavior.

The Amygdala’s Function: Psychology 101

What is the function of the amygdala? What behavior does the amygdala govern? The amygdala is a little almond-shaped structure located in the brain’s medial temporal lobe. Its main function is to respond to threats, whether real or perceived. The amygdala activates very fast, often overriding logic and rationality. Here’s a look at the amygdala’s function and the psychology behind its workings.

Behave by Robert Sapolsky: Book Overview

What is Robert Sapolsky’s Behave about? What is the key message to take away from the book? Understanding people is crucial to disciplines and careers ranging from psychology to sales. While there are countless books about how to relate to people—and sometimes how to manipulate them—few try to get to the core of human behavior in the same way that Sapolsky’s Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst does. Below is a brief overview of the key themes.

Robert Sapolsky: Evolution and Behavior

What is the connection between evolution and behavior? What are some examples of human behaviors that have survival value? Our brains work the way they do because of evolution: Ancestors who behaved in certain ways were more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on the genes that caused them to behave in those ways. So now, many generations later, those genes still survive in us and influence our behavior. Let’s examine the key categories of human behavior that are the product of evolution.

The Science Behind Fasting and Weight Loss

How does fasting promote weight loss? What is the mechanism behind the weight loss effect of fasting? Your body has a powerful built-in fat-burning mechanism that’s activated by fasting. However, weight loss isn’t immediate once you start fasting. Since our bodies are used to overeating, we need to teach them to access our fat stores again. When you start fasting, your body won’t yet know how to burn fat and will instead slow your metabolism to save energy until you can eat again. Here’s a look at the science behind fasting and weight loss.

The Connection of Mind and Body in Medicine

Why is the connection of mind and body important in the medical field? Why does modern medicine separate mind from body? The Western medicine treats the mind and the body as separate domains (mind-body dualism). According to Dr. Gabor Maté, the author of When the Body Says No, this mindset is holding modern medicine back because the mind can cause disease to the body. Here’s why the mind-body connection shouldn’t be overlooked when diagnosing and treating illness.

Kin Selection Theory: Why Family Comes First

What is the kin selection theory? Why do we feel compelled to protect our family members at all costs? Kin selection is a term in evolutionary biology that means potentially sacrificing your own welfare or reproductive success in favor of your relatives’. For example, risking your life by fighting off a home intruder to protect your family. It evolved because, by definition, your relatives share many of your genes, so keeping them alive helps pass those genes on. Keep reading to learn about the psychology behind kin selection.