science
Intelligence is one of the most studied aspects of human cognition. However, it seems that IQ – the intelligence quotient – does not accurately represent intelligence. In fact, the way IQ is determined encourages racism, and the scientific community is not free from these biases.
Have you ever heard of the claim that 93% of communication is nonverbal? This often-repeated claim states that 55% of what you communicate comes from your facial expressions, 38% from your tone of voice, and the words you speak are only responsible for 7%. Although non-verbal communication is of course important, these numbers are not true at all. What is wrong with them? And where do they come from?
The Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling used to say “I think I think harder, think more than other people do” to explain his remarkable creative performances. And he was probably right: not everyone could have unravelled the mystery of how atoms are arranged and bounded together (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1954). Yet, does it mean that creativity isn’t within everyone’s reach? What is creativity really and how can we master it?
What qualities do we look for in our search for “the one”? Evidence from assortative
The current pandemic has us keeping our distance to reduce contagion, but is the physical distance affecting our social interactions? And how is it changing the way we speak?
Most smokers light up their first cigarette in their teenage years. In recent years, however, youngsters have replaced cigarettes with their electronic counterparts, which are referred to as “vapes”. Given the well-known dangers of tobacco smoking, that must be a good development, right? Let’s find out.
After weeks of strict regulations, experts are deciding how we can leave lockdown without too many risks to our society. Importantly though, merely the way we describe risks can influence which strategy we choose.
Besides an alarming death toll, a shrinking world economy, and a renewed appreciation for thorough handwashing, the current COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed humans everywhere to another contagion: belief in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Why is it that some people tend to stick to false beliefs?
Scientists know how smell works in the brain but not exactly how neurons “read out”
ADHD outcomes can take different paths as patients grow up. In an effort to predict and therefore possibly prevent severe ADHD outcomes, researchers at the Donders Institute are currently running an exciting study. I’m a research assistant in this special project. Read on for some insider facts about it!