Robert Feldman has edited the new book “Learning Science: Theory, Research & Practice.” The book explores recent advances in the rapidly evolving field of learning science and includes writing from a dozen researchers in a variety of disciplines. Market Screener
In a recent briefing paper "Work that Works for Low-Wage Workers" prepared for the Council on Contemporary Families’ Symposium, Maureen Perry-Jenkins writes on ways to improve conditions on the job that affect workers’ mental health, and their relationships at home. "...today each of us could create ways to improve workplaces and build cultures of respect and support that hold implications for workers and their families, especially their children." The Society Pages
Linda Tropp comments in a magazine article about how sharing personal conversations with people who disagree with your viewpoints can help to change someone’s mind. “The more contact we have, the less anxious we feel about being with people who are different from us, and the more able we are to empathize with them in terms of what they are going through,” Tropp says. Yes magazine
A news feature about motion-based smartwatch sleep trackers includes a comment by sleep researcher Rebecca Spencer. She says the sleep trackers can be fooled into thinking a person is awake by a jumpy dog or a restless partner. “One big failure of all [motion-based] devices: They’re assuming there’s no movement of that wrist except for the person wearing it,” she says. Spencer also says overall trends on how much you are sleeping can be measured by the devices. Gizmodo
Daniel Anderson comments on a new survey that suggests that young children who view television, smartphones and computer tablet screens could undergo changes in the brain that affect the development of language and literary skills. He says, “The study is provocative, but far from conclusive.” Newsweek
A diverse group of scientists including Nilanjana Dasgupta reports their findings and recommendations on how institutions and funding agencies can address and prevent sexual harassment and gender bias in the STEM workforce. Details of their suggested “specific, potentially high-impact policy changes” appear in the current issue of Science. Health Medicine Network
Kirby Deater-Deckard is quoted in an article about how pregnancy and motherhood affect a woman’s brain. He says after a child is two-years-old, “a parent’s behavior with her growing child will be powerfully influenced by the child’s behavior and temperament.” Carolina Parent
A column questioning why people lie quotes Robert Feldman who says lying is a very effective social tactic. He says people expect to hear the truth from others and that allows people who are lying to often get away with it. He also explains seven reasons why people lie, including to flatter and influence others, to avoid a negative outcome and to make oneself look more impressive. Yahoo!
