Bruce Bower

Bruce Bower

Behavioral Sciences Writer

Bruce Bower has written about the behavioral sciences since 1984. He often writes about psychology, anthropology, archaeology and mental health issues. Bruce has a master's degree in psychology from Pepperdine University and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. Following an internship at Science News in 1981, he worked as a reporter at Psychiatric News, a publication of the American Psychiatric Association, until joining Science News as a staff writer. In 1996, the American Psychological Association appointed Bruce a Science Writer Fellow, with a grant to visit psychological scientists of his own choosing. Early stints as an aide in a day school for children and teenagers with severe psychological problems and as a counselor in a drug diversion center provided Bruce with a surprisingly good background for a career in science journalism.

All Stories by Bruce Bower

  1. Anthropology

    Low-status chimps revealed as trendsetters

    Outranked chimpanzees trigger spread of useful new behaviors among their comrades.

  2. Psychology

    Physically abused kids learn to fail at social rules for success

    What physically abused kids learn about rewards at home can lead to misbehavior elsewhere.

  3. Psychology

    Long-lasting mental health isn’t normal

    Those who stay mentally healthy from childhood to middle age are exceptions to the rule.

  4. Archaeology

    Cow carved in stone paints picture of Europe’s early human culture

    Stone Age engraving helps to illuminate European travels of an ancient human culture.

  5. Archaeology

    Iron Age secrets exhumed from riches-filled crypt

    Wealthy woman’s 2,600-year-old grave highlights Central Europe’s early Iron Age links to Mediterranean societies.

  6. Anthropology

    Snooze patterns vary across cultures, opening eyes to evolution of sleep

    Sleep plays out differently across cultures, but a consistent cycle of z’s and activity appears crucial.

  7. Climate

    Monsoon deluges turned ancient Sahara green

    The ancient Sahara Desert sprouted trees and lakes for thousands of years thanks to intense rainfall.

  8. Health & Medicine

    Promise and perils of marijuana deserve more scientific scrutiny

    Report outlines medical potential and health dangers of cannabis and its components.

  9. Archaeology

    Hunter-gatherers were possibly first to call Tibetan Plateau home

    Hunter-gatherers may have been Asia’s first year-round, high-altitude settlers.

  10. Anthropology

    Monkeys have vocal tools, but not brains, to talk like humans

    Macaques have vocal tracts, but not brains, built for talking much as people do, scientists say.

  11. Anthropology

    New footprint finds suggest range of body sizes for Lucy’s species

    Tracks discovered in Tanzania appear to have belonged to the tallest known Australopithecus afarensis individual, but stature estimates can be tricky.

  12. Genetics

    Year in review: How humans populated the globe

    DNA studies put new twists on timing of ancient human migrations – but genetics alone are not enough to tell the full story.