New York magazine’s “Science of Us” editor explains the compelling psychology of awkwardness, and why learning to accept your cringeworthy moments can be a social advantage. “Have you ever said goodbye to someone, only to discover that you’re both walking in the same direction? Or had your next thought fly out of your brain in the …
Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness by Melissa Dahl Read More »
Our new webpage is online! Here you will find information and updates on the work of our group.
David Stolz and other members of the SNL have been featured in a national TV show on social behavior. Please find the video and a teaser for the show below (in German). “Warum klatschen wir, wenn alle klatschen? Warum kaufen wir dort, wo alle kaufen? Menschen imitieren das Verhalten der Gruppe, zu der sie sich …
We have put together some tricky questions on “vicarious embarrassment” and “fremdscham” at the German ZEIT ONLINE. Please enjoy (in German)! “Wann tritt Fremdscham am ehesten auf? Kann Babys etwas peinlich sein? Und welche Politikerin schämte sich für Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg? Beat the Prof Peinlichkeit!” [to the Quiz]
Our opinion on the Impact Factor and the rationale for (not) using it for evaluating scientific excellence has been featured in “The Scientist” online. In our biorxiv preprint you cand find a more detailed explanation of our argument. “Papers published in low-impact journals are not necessarily low-quality scientific contributions.” [link to the article]
We are very happy to announce that Lena Rademacher’s most recent PET work on the recovery of dopamine function in former smokers has been featured on Reuters by Lisa Rappaport. The Biological Psychiatry paper contains all the details and can be found here. “The brain makes less dopamine, a chemical involved in both pleasure and addiction, …
David Stolz very nicely explains in national TV how social exclusion makes you suffer and why we need friends that support us. In this show on the famous ZDF David and the host Eric take kids and youngsters on a tour through the MRI. Check out the video below (in German). “Freunde machen glücklich! Ob …
SNL featured in “Ich brauch’ Freunde” video on ZDF Pur+ Read More »
We have just come across this wonderful article by Julia Layton on HowStuffWorks. The article begins with a cringeworthy video of Ted Cruz and then nicely explains our take on why we experience such odd emotions as vicarious embarrassment for another’s predicaments. “In this video from a January campaign event in Iowa, presidential hopeful Ted Cruz leans …
The odd empathy of vicarious embarrassment on “HowStuffWorks” Read More »
This is a very intersting read on the pain the media corps feels when confronted with awkward acting and decisions of politicians by Haddas Gold in POLITICO. Somewhere in the middle of the piece on Jeb Bush’s excursions in the field you can also find reference to the famous “Fremdscham”. “At a recent campaign Jeb …
Bush’s media corps feels his pain Article in Politico Magazine Read More »
By: Melissa Dahl Consider the recent adventures in awkwardness from Jeb Bush’s campaign: On Monday, the former Florida governor took the stage at a pre-caucus briefing in Des Moines after being introduced as “George — er, Jeb — Bush.” (the link to the full article)
