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

    Ancient pottery maps route to South Pacific

    New Guinea pottery points to a key meeting of island natives and seafarers at least 3,000 years ago.

  2. Psychology

    Psychology results evaporate upon further review

    Less than half of psychology findings get reproduced on second tries, a study finds.

  3. Animals

    Chimps keep numbers high as forest losses mount

    African apes show surprising resilience in face of forest destruction.

  4. Animals

    Chimps keep numbers high as forest losses mount

    African apes show surprising resilience in face of forest destruction.

  5. Anthropology

    Chilean desert cemetery tells tale of ancient trade specialists

    Burial site holds clues to ancient trade brokers in Chilean desert.

  6. Anthropology

    Oldest humanlike hand bone discovered

    Found at Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge, pinkie bone is 1.84 million years old.

  7. Anthropology

    Bones revive a 7,000-year-old massacre

    Bones suggest Central Europe’s first farmers had an extremely violent streak.

  8. Psychology

    Baby marmosets imitate parents’ sounds

    Vocal learning may work similarly in marmoset monkeys, songbirds and humans.

  9. Psychology

    Decision tree for soldiers could reduce civilian deaths

    A new, three-part decision formula may help soldiers save civilians’ lives.

  10. Anthropology

    Remains of Jamestown leaders discovered

    Colonial-era graves reveal leading figures in founding of English America.

  11. Anthropology

    Tooth, jaw fossils tell tale of North America’s last nonhuman primates

    Oregon fossils provide new clues to North America’s last nonhuman primates.

  12. Anthropology

    Monkey’s small brain shows surprising folds

    An ancient monkey’s tiny brain developed folds, raising questions about primate evolution.