The magic of love

Far from an invention of poets or reality TV producers, romantic love has been a part of human nature for many thousands of years for sound evolutionary reasons.

The psychological perks of big data

The personal data we are now all generating is making it easier for researchers to take psychology out of the lab and into the field.

Our need for nature

Getting out and about in nature is good for our minds as well as our bodies, and maintaining wild spaces for the public to explore in our increasingly developed cities should be a planning priority.

Whatever happened to all the heroes?

When faced with sudden danger or a cry for help, most people hold back while a brave few rush into action without any thought of their own safety, so what separates the heroes from the cowards in our increasingly risk-averse society?

Saving for a rainy day

After 30 years of growth, 2 years of COVID funding and 5 months of Russia’s terrible war in Ukraine, the economic chickens are coming home to roost for Australia, but individuals can still take steps to protect their financial position.

Overcoming our fear of rejection

Humans once relied on tribal and family groups for their survival, and so we’re programmed on an evolutionary level to fear social rejection, but we can learn to deal with it when it happens in the modern world.

Living on the edge

Lovers of extreme sports are often dismissed as adrenalin junkies, thrillseekers and reckless risktakers, but Southern Cross University psychologist Dr Eric Brymer wants people to cast aside those negative perceptions.

Back to the future

Virtual reality is usually seen as an interest of young people, but a toolkit to help aged care facilities integrate virtual reality into the lives of residents was recently been released by an Australian university.

Locust and chips

Recent reports suggest that a shift from domesticated animals to insects as a source for animal protein could significantly reduce carbon emissions from agriculture, but whether anyone in the Western world wants to make that switch is another matter.

Freedom and responsibility

Free will – our capacity to independently choose between different action – is crucial to our understanding of moral responsibility and criminal culpability, but new insights in neuroscience may undermine our faith in our own decision making.

It’s a dog’s life

ABC TV’s new series A Dog’s World explores the evolutionary journey of dogs, their amazing senses and how science can help keep them happy and healthy.

Always look on the bright side of life

While our mental performance does decline as we age, psychologists have found that older people are better at keeping a positive attitude in stressful conditions.