Collection edited by Pacific Standard

Pacific Standard

Why do people do what they do—and what is being done about it? Visit us daily for more big ideas and the latest research from the social and behavioral sciences at PSmag.com.

I Need a Baseball Team
From the ages of 11 to 15, I knew everything about sports.
E.A. Weiss4 min read
Jolie’s Mastectomy: Celebrities Serve as Medical Role Models
Researchers found Nancy Reagan’s decision to have a breast removed influenced the choices of American women facing a similar medical issue.
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Sports No Longer Last Bastion of Homophobia
The NBA’s Jason Collins’ revelation of his homosexuality may seem revolutionary, but in fact it’s the culmination of a trend.
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Millennials: A Generation With Unrealistic Expectations
A survey of high-school students that graduated between 2005 and 2007 finds a disconnect between a desire for nice things and an…
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Fame, Once Established, Is Not Fleeting
New research finds that celebrity status is surprisingly stable over time.
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Making (Cheap, Monotonous) Online Work More Meaningful
New research suggests people doing piecemeal work online keep at it longer if the task is seen as significant.
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Would You Give Up 9 Months of Your Life for Professional Prestige?
What would you give for a tangible achievement that carries enormous professional prestige?
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Background Music Reduces Playground Bullying
Can music soothe the savage sixth grader? Perhaps, according to a first-of-its-kind study from Israel, which finds that gentle melodies may…
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Emotional Reactions of Atheists May Reveal Echoes of Belief
The heads and hearts of atheists may not be on precisely the same page.
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Genetic Evidence of Yoga’s Impact on the Immune System
If we’re finished obsessing about yoga jeans, perhaps it’s time to think about yoga and genes.
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard2 min read
The Price of Fame for Performers and Athletes: Shorter Lives
Do famous, successful people live longer lives? New research suggests the answer depends upon how they achieved their fame and success.
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Help Others to Help Yourself: High School Students Benefit From Volunteer Work
Let’s perform a little parental thought experiment.
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Could Sober Eyewitnesses Be Less Reliable Than Intoxicated Ones?
Members of the jury: Surely you can’t believe that witness who says he saw my client fleeing the scene of the crime.
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard2 min read
Across Cultures, Music Therapy Promotes Sounder Sleep
Music does more than soothe the savage beast. It also provides relief for the irritated insomniac.
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
For Children, TV Commercials Are a Catalyst to Materialism
Concerned that your kids are becoming overly materialistic?
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard2 min read
Anxiety, Depression High Among Young Heavy Metal Fans
How would you characterize adolescents who listen to heavy metal music?
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard3 min read
Why Is He Oblivious to Her Emotions?
Ladies: Do you often feel misunderstood by men? Do they fail to pick up on fairly obvious nonverbal signals, such as expressions of fear or…
Pacific Standard in Pacific Standard2 min read

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