Science & the Big Questions

Mice Share Each Other’s Pain and Fear

The animals adopt the emotional state of their cagemates, and the parts of the brain engaged during the process are different for pain and fear, according to a new study.

The Scientist

Topics: Animal Studies Emotion Empathy Neurons Social Contagion

Why Social Change Is Contagious

We witness many social changes over time — from changes in behavior such as the decline of smoking to shifts in people’s hearts and minds on issues like gay marriage. But how does social change spread?

Character & Context, Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Topics: Social Contagion

Empathy Is the Secret Ingredient That Makes Cooperation — and Civilization — Possible

Where do the cooperative skills that hold together human societies come from and why don’t our selfish instincts overwhelm them? Evolutionary game theory suggests that empathy is a crucial contributor.

The Conversation

Topics: Altruism Cooperation Empathy Morality Reputation Social Behavior Social Contagion

Dazzled by Creativity: Why We Excuse Dishonest Acts

As it turns out, we all have a tendency to view unethical behavior as less dishonest when it also is creative.

Scientific American

Topics: Creativity Deception Ethics Morality Social Contagion