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. Psychology

    Moral dilemma could put brakes on driverless cars

    Driverless cars race into a moral conflict over saving passengers or pedestrians.

  2. Psychology

    New studies explore why ordinary people turn terrorist

    New studies are examining the "will to fight" in ISIS soldiers and their opponents.

  3. Archaeology

    Lidar maps vast network of Cambodia’s hidden cities

    Laser survey unveils the extent, and the mystery, of Southeast Asia’s Khmer Empire

  4. Tech

    Monitoring online groups offers insight into ISIS attacks

    Targeting online groups may be key to limiting the digital reach of ISIS.

  5. Psychology

    Kids’ anxieties, depression need attention

    Psychological troubles in childhood are no longer considered a part of normal development.

  6. Anthropology

    Hobbit history gets new preface

    Jaw, tooth fossils put new spin on evolution of Homo floresiensis.

  7. Archaeology

    Earliest evidence of fire making in Europe found

    Clues to Stone Age fire making surface in a Spanish cave.

  8. Archaeology

    Stone circles show Neandertals’ social, technical skills

    Ancient human relatives built circular stalagmite structures inside a French cave.

  9. Health & Medicine

    Researchers face off over whether newborns are really copycats

    Scientists disagree about whether babies can imitate movements and facial expressions shortly after birth.

  10. Genetics

    Some Stone Age humans returned to Africa

    DNA from an ancient woman suggests some humans trekked back to Africa.

  11. Genetics

    Some Stone Age humans ventured back to Africa

    DNA from an ancient woman suggests some humans trekked back to Africa.

  12. Anthropology

    ‘Slam-dunk’ find puts hunter-gatherers in Florida 14,500 years ago

    Finds at an underwater site put people in Florida a surprisingly long time ago.