With Father’s Day arriving this Sunday, I thought it was a good time to reflect on the value of fathers I know. In spite of Judith Rich Harris’ hypothesis that parents really don’t matter other than their contribution of a few genes, my own father had an enormous influence on Read more…
For many, Memorial Day is an extra day off from school, a chance for my college student neighbors to go wine tasting, opening day for community pools, or an excuse to dust off the grill. As the mom of a soldier, I would hope that everybody take at least a Read more…
Students are typically amazed to hear about people who try to break records for sleep deprivation, including Peter Tripp in 1959 (8 days plus), Randy Gardner in 1964 (11 days plus) and Robert McDonald in 1980 (18 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes). Gardner’s record was recognized by the Guinness Read more…
This post is primarily aimed at my Biological Psychology students. Unfortunately, quarter system being what it is, we ran out of time before our midterm, and couldn’t look at the famous Rusty the Narcoleptic Dog video. If you missed it at the exam, here is the link. Not being an Read more…
Jonathan Haidt of the University of Virginia has chosen a rather interesting human behavior to study–morality. I find the evolutionary approach Haidt takes to the question very comfortable. In a nutshell, Haidt sees morality as an evolved cultural phenomenon that allows us to live in large groups. According to Haidt, Read more…