The Big Questions

Life, death and free will.

Nathan Heflick is a doctoral student in social psychology at The University of South Florida. See full bio

November 6, 2009

Fort Hood: The Value of American Life

Americans should care more when non Americans die. The true tragedy isn't that Americans died; it is that PEOPLE died. Read More

October 24, 2009

Writing about Death can Increase Happiness

Let's be frank; death pretty much sucks. But, can contemplating death make us less depressed? Read More

October 14, 2009

Disagreeing with My Politics Is an Error

Do our brains interpret our values and beliefs as facts (objective truths)? Read More

September 29, 2009

Disputing Science

How can people refute the findings of experiments by just saying "I do not agree"? Read More

September 27, 2009

Why and How Afterlife Belief Occurs

Why and how do people believe in life after death? Read More

August 17, 2009

But we have a Black President...

We have a Black president so CLEARLY, racism is over! (cue the fireworks and bald eagles soaring over snow covered mountain tops and pictures of smiling children)! Or not... Read More

August 12, 2009

Appearance Focus Negatively Impacts Females (but not males).

What effect does appearance focus have on men and women in their everyday life? Could it have influenced Barack Obama's victory? Read More

August 4, 2009

A Person to Some, a Monster to Others.

Mohammed recently died. His mother and father mourned his death, and his daughter, nine years old, could barely contain her tears. Her uncle said she basically cries all night, as does his wife. Read More

July 15, 2009

Stealing Babies for Officers: When Respect for Authority Turns Ugly

Respect for authority figures is vital to the maintenance of society. But how far are people willing to go to follow the orders of those in charge? Would they steal someone's child? Would they "spike" someone's drink? Would they willingly push a lever to electric shock someone to the point of possible death? Read More

June 28, 2009

Let Our Sons Be Horny (But Not Our Daughters)

"That is what boys do Angie. They peep." ------Line from the George Lopez Show This line struck me while I was watching this show the other night. Sure, the young boy in this episode was peeping through a hole in the wall to try and see his sister's friend undressing. But, to George, it was met with a stamp of approval. (perhaps, also, even a welcome verification of his son's heterosexuality?) I recall a time when I was 12 and at a male friend's house. My friend's father asked if he had "made

Human beings are social animals, and the tenor of our social life is one of the most important influences on our mental health.

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