One of the greatest (and, in my opinion, most overlooked) aspects of science is that it is a process inherently founded on and driven by community. Almost all ongoing research questions are derived from prior research, and the outputs of ongoing research will inevitably inspire new lines of work and discovery. Scientific discoveries are ultimately […]
Sensation and Perception
Humans are quite skilled at detecting patterns subconsciously. If you listen to a new song for the first time, you can probably follow the beat or predict how the melody will change next. If you go into a new grocery store, you can probably navigate to the potatoes based on your experience in other stores. […]
Technology has changed dramatically since I started as a Digital Associate Editor for the Psychonomic Society digital team almost 10 years ago. According to Google AI Generator, “Since 2016, technology has advanced significantly, primarily driven by major breakthroughs and widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning. Other key areas of advancement include 5G […]
At this point, we’ve probably all spent more time than we want to think about on Zoom calls. Whether that’s meeting with students or collaborators when we’re spread across countries (or the planet), or committee meetings, or even social events, if you’re reading this, you’re probably more familiar than you want to be with a […]
Every year, people eagerly await the arrival of the fall colors, and if you’re like me, you’ve checked the forecasts for peak foliage to find the best time to go leaf peeping. You might be surprised to learn that there’s a fair bit of science that goes into forecasting the arrival of those fall leaves, […]
If you’ve never heard of freestyle slalom skating before, prepare to be amazed. In this sport, roller skaters skillfully maneuver their way around a set of tightly spaced cones at mind-boggling speeds, balancing on one skate, skating backwards, or sometimes both! If you ever want to watch some impressive feats of athleticism and artistry on […]
There are some who might scoff at it, but I’m always a bit charmed to meet someone who puts their fingers and thumbs in the classic “L” and “reversed L” formations to differentiate between left and right. And although I usually don’t need to do this, it seems to be a relatable enough experience to at […]
When you watch an athlete or dancer perform, does it ever feel like time is slowing down? That’s not just in your head! This phenomenon is known as time dilation, and it makes you feel like time is moving more slowly. This occurs when we observe complex biological motion, such as dancing or walking. For […]
Visual perspective taking (VPT) refers to the ability to comprehend what another person can see from their viewpoint. It’s a skill we first develop when we master the art of “hide and seek.” When finding the best hiding spot, children need to consider where they will be least likely to be seen. They need to […]
When you strum a guitar or press a piano key, can you name the exact note you hear? For most people, the answer is a resounding no. Most people need a reference tone or a tuner to identify notes. Still, some gifted individuals, such as Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys) and Charlie Puth, can accurately […]