When It Comes to Love, Is Three (or More) a Crowd?

Cultures around the world fear unrequited love. One strategy to avoid the pain of rejection might be to spread your love around—but does that work?

Why Do We Wrap Presents?

Wrapping paper is a striptease that hides and reveals, transforming otherwise ordinary objects into gifts.

A Belated Homecoming for Missing U.S. Marines

Archaeologists at Florida’s History Flight have dedicated themselves to a singular quest: finding lost World War II servicemen and bringing them home.

Learning to Trust Machines That Learn

What can studies of human relationships tell us about whether or not we should trust artificial intelligence?

Why Humans Are So Smart—And So Stressed Out

Homo sapiens evolved big brains not so that we could make tools but so that we could keep track of 150 friends and competitors.

How Culture Shapes Perceptions of Miscarriage

Pregnancy loss is a common part of women’s reproductive lives. Learning how women in different cultures process the experience can help all of us find meaning in misfortune.

The Moral Code of Chinese Sex Workers

A researcher immersed herself in the “sisterhood” of China’s female sex trade—and came away with an appreciation of its rules of conduct.

How Babywearing Went Mainstream

Strapping a baby to one’s torso used to be taboo in the West. Now the practice has given rise to a community that stretches around the globe.

Why We Yearn for the Simple Life

Six social scientists debate why philosophies of simplicity arise and endure, and why it can be so hard to live…

European Brides in the Islamic State

Women who have moved from Europe to Islamic State territory are often portrayed as either victims or terrorists. The reality is more complicated.