Decision making in the game of life Recent research has revealed a causal link between serotonin levels and people’s ‘sense of fairness’. A fascinating discovery because serotonin levels are in part dependent on what we eat. So, can you eat yourself toward a fairer world? Jonathan Barnhoorn • July 08, 2013
Digital surveillance programs - safeguards or spies? Do we perceive states that read our emails, web chats, and other (digital) communications as safeguards or as spies? Research indicates that these attitudes are largely influenced by how news reports about these controversial issues are framed. Gerdien de Vries • June 18, 2013
The compensatory effects of food The economic crisis has resulted in many budget cuts in health care and general care programs. The population as a whole is aging, and yet we desire to stay independent as long as possible. How can we retain the cognitive abilities supporting independence? Laura Steenbergen • June 10, 2013
Can thinking of a professor really make you smarter? Diederik Stapel's fraudulent practice has highlighted the importance of replication in psychology. Does the famous study of Ap Dijksterhuis, which shows that thinking of professors improves test scores, survive a replication attempt? Sabine Peters • June 06, 2013
Can you ‘pose’ your way to success? Have you ever wondered why is it that sometimes you perform extremely well at presentations or job interviews while at other times your brain seems to freeze? Your performance in such tasks depends on the levels of two hormones: testosterone and cortisol. Tina van Dam • June 03, 2013
Illuminate your mind: neuromodulation at the speed of light Optogenetics has been chosen as 'Method of the year 2010' by the journal Nature Methods. But what exactly is optogenetics? And how can we use this neuromodulation technique to better understand behaviour? Claudia Pama • May 27, 2013
Running for happiness Why do some people run marathons? And why do they often appear to be so happy, even exhilarated after hours of running? There must be something wrong with them, or do they know something that we don't? Hans Revers • May 22, 2013
'Facebook depression?' The influence of social media on adolescents The growing use of social networking sites also fosters concerns about the negative consequences for adolescents of using these sites. But do adolescents themselves confirm that they are depressed because of Facebook? Barbara Braams • May 09, 2013
Should Obama express anger or disappointment? President Obama’s plan to expand background checks on gun buyers was rejected last month by the Senate. Should Obama have communicated anger, or disappointment to influence Republicans’ voting behavior? Some insights derived from negotiation research. Gert-Jan Lelieveld • May 08, 2013
