Ciarán Mc Mahon, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
When I read that Robin William’s daughter Zelda was deleting her Twitter and Instagram because of abusive messages in the aftermath of her father’s death, I recalled Richard Dawkins’ book The Selfish Gene…
When the line blurs between ‘online’ and ‘offline’ is it really cause for concern?
David Blackwell./Flickr
Step aside Olympians – the new sporting pursuit of choice may soon be professional gaming. Electronic sports (or esports) are now mainstream, drawing more than a million viewers in large tournaments and…
You may find yourself talking to a therapist who is completely inappropriate to your needs.
James Nash/Flickr
People seeking therapy should always talk to a practitioner who provides good quality treatment that’s appropriate to their needs. Because research shows that even the innocuous-sounding “talking therapies…
We’re all singing from the same hymn sheet and that’s not a good thing.
InfoMofo
It’s becoming increasingly obvious that as we spend more time communicating via social media, we are disappearing into bubbles. We receive information from the same sources and witness the views of the…
Introverted and A-type? We’re not that easily categorised.
Ivana Vasilj/Flickr
The idea that people can be classified into types has a long history. Writing 23 centuries ago, the Greek philosopher Theophrastus sketched 30 characters that are instantly recognisable to this day. They…
Fears about air travel are common and entirely understandable. Human beings have not evolved to fly (beyond the fact that we have evolved brains sophisticated enough to invent aircraft). In an alien environment…
He’s only 28 years old, but Eamon Sullivan has hung up his goggles.
EPA/Julian Abram Wainwright
As the Commonwealth Games enters its last days, Australian sprinter John Steffenson announced he’s hanging up the spikes after the tournament is over, and diver Matthew Mitcham hinted at retiring too…
Hi Mum … or should I say … impostor?
Aaron Tait/Flickr
In the film Invasion of the Body Snatchers aliens invade earth by replicating individuals. While the idea that we could be duped by shape-shifting aliens is a great idea for a film, the story echoes a…
Facebook’s efforts in 2012 to manipulate the emotions of its users for part of an academic study have left the kingpin social network struggling to explain its actions. Maybe part of their mistake was…
The headlines The Guardian: Shocking but true: students prefer jolt of pain than being made to sit and think Nature: We dislike being alone with our thoughts Washington Post: Most men would rather shock…
Mum and dad really shouldn’t have got involved.
ceefax55
In 1972, a study showed scientific support for the so-called “Romeo and Juliet effect”: that the more parents interfere in a couple’s relationship, the more intense their romantic bond becomes and the…
Reports about the latest investigation into the sexual assaults carried out by Jimmy Savile’s in a hospital in Leeds were invariably led by accounts from a small group of staff that Savile had engaged…
The Conversation organised a public question-and-answer session on Reddit in which Andrew Lane, professor of Sport Psychology at Wolverhampton University, discussed subjects from the Suarez bite to getting…
For many people, enjoying music results in noticeable physical reactions – sweaty palms or a shiver down the spine. Music can cause the release of dopamine in your body, which provides a feeling of immense…
The dreaded, game-deciding penalty shootouts have begun. After 120 minutes of physically and emotionally draining play, players must line up and one by one take the goalie on from the spot. Heroes and…
From firm favourites to out after two matches – Spanish fans have felt the whole gamut of emotions this World Cup.
EPA/Alberto Martin
Let’s imagine this all-too-familiar scene: a fan, perched on the edge of his or her seat, eyes wide open in anticipation, a quick inhale at a goal attempt – quickly followed by either a joyous and prideful…
Fan or foe, chances are over the next four weeks you’ll catch at least parts of World Cup matches, whether through bleary eyes in the wee hours or snippets on the evening news. If you’re unfamiliar with…
Research a better bet than an octopus oracle.
Roland Weihrauch/EPA
Given my academic background it may come as little surprise that when I gamble, I expect to lose in the long run. But, that is not to say that I don’t have some golden rules that I apply in gambling situations…
Studies have, in the past, suggested that dogs appeal most to people who are extroverted, conscientious, agreeable and conventional.
Cams
Pets inspire powerful emotions and strong attachments. They comfort the sick, console the lonely and entertain the children. We invite them into our families, pay their human-sized medical expenses and…