When the thought of yourself nags you: How failure to attain cultural standards brings suicide on the fringe of consciousness

When the thought of yourself nags you: How failure to attain cultural standards brings suicide on the fringe of consciousness

On September 9, 2009, Dr. Sapandeep Sahni hanged herself after her pregnancy test came out negative for the fourth time. She had a daughter, but she and her family desired for her to have a son. It was culturally important. Otherwise, Dr. Sahni’s life could be seen as a success: she held a relatively prestigious job (a general practitioner), was planning to become an eye specialist, was popular with colleagues and patients alike, and was well off, living in a... / more

It’s your choice! – Or is it really?

It’s your choice! – Or is it really?

For most of us it is difficult to imagine that we could decide to buy a v-neck sweater and end up with round-neck collar without even noticing the difference. If this happened in a wide variety of situations, it would mean that we are often not fully aware of the decisions we make. According to researchers studying a phenomenon called choice blindness, this is precisely the case. Numerous studies have shown that we often fail to... / more

The dish on gossip: Its origins, functions, and bad reputation

The dish on gossip: Its origins, functions, and bad reputation

Gossip is ubiquitous – chances are that you have shared, heard, or been the topic of gossip today. Why do we love to talk about other people? Is gossiping part of our human nature? Are there benefits of gossip, to either the individual or to society? In this article I will review what researchers have learned about the nature of ... / more

Would you recognize the perpetrator? What do you need to know when you have to make an identification from a lineup?

Would you recognize the perpetrator? What do you need to know when you have to make an identification from a lineup?

Would you be able to pick out the right person from a lineup? We discuss the role of various factors that can influence the decision-making process of eyewitnesses during the lineup procedures. / more

“Look in my eyes. I said in my eyes!”: Antecedents and Consequences of (Self-) Objectification

“Look in my eyes. I said in my eyes!”: Antecedents and Consequences of (Self-) Objectification

Physical appearance is one of the primary cues for individuals living in a society guided by a vast “sexual market” (Baumeister & Vohs, 2004). Physical appearance also influences people’s achievements in areas that are not directly related to the sexual domain, such as their career (e.g., Register & Williams, 1990) or their educational success (e.g., Crandall, 1991, 1995). / more

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