As we get closer to Christmas, your family will probably have some kind of gathering. You will reunite with people who you might not see any other time. There will be some awkward small talk, everyone will start off on their best behaviour, there will be too much food, and presents will be exchanged. Sometimes, […] … learn more→

As the volume and variety of data about people increases, so does the number of ideas about how data might be used. Studies show that many people want their data to be used for public benefit. However, the research also shows that public support for use of data is conditional, and only given when risks such as those […] … learn more→

In any home with children, items inevitably accumulate. Throughout birthdays, Christmas parties, celebrations of events such as sporting victories or impulsive purchases, we find ourselves invaded by a flood of toys, clothes and trinkets. Parting with these possessions is a completely different matter. While some children are convinced to place their old toys in solidarity collection bins […] … learn more→

Although it may seem strange, science has a lot to say about our friendships. For example, why we have a limited number of friends. Robin Dunbar , an Oxford anthropologist, proposed his famous number 150: the average number of friendships a person can maintain simultaneously. These friendships are organized in circles : about five best friends, about ten additional good friends, and […] … learn more→

It seems like we have free will. Most of the time, we are the ones who choose what we eat, how we tie our shoelaces and what articles we read on The Conversation. However, the latest book by Stanford neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, has been receiving a lot of media attention for arguing science shows this is an illusion. Sapolsky summarises […] … learn more→

In recent decades only, training methods have been developed to focus on plasticity, that is to say the modification, of the nervous system with a view to improving motor performance. Some involve the use of technologies which will prove to be a very good stimulant. Among these, virtual reality (VR) plays an increasingly important role. VR consists of […] … learn more→

South African higher education is plagued by inequalities due to the social and economic legacies of apartheid. More than 50% of enrolment in higher education is from black, working-class, disadvantaged households from rural areas who depend on state-funded student aid. At the same time, some institutions of higher learning are also historically disadvantaged: they were designated for non-white students during […] … learn more→

The benefits of friendship go far beyond having someone to confide in or spend time with – it can also protect you from physical and mental health problems. For example, people with good friends recover more quickly from illnesses and surgeries. They report higher well-being and feel like they live up to their full potential. Additionally, people with good friends report […] … learn more→

Conflict is a normal and functional part of the parent-adolescent relationship, contributing to the development of social, emotional and problem-solving skills. However, when conflicts become stuck, rigid and persistent, they can hinder healthy emotional experiences. In today’s digital age, where screens and digital devices have become an integral part of daily life, parent-adolescent conflicts surrounding digital […] … learn more→

Forty-one states and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits against Meta on Oct. 24, 2023, alleging that the company intentionally designed Facebook and Instagram with features that harm teens and young users. Meta officials had internal research in March 2020 showing that Instagram – the social media platform most used by adolescents after TikTok – is harmful to teen […] … learn more→