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

    Sometimes, happiness is for bozos

    Despite its benefits, happiness and its pursuit has risks, as writer Bruce Bower describes in a humorous report from the recent meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.

  2. ‘Love’ hormone has a dark side

    Often associated with feelings of closeness, oxytocin can make people more or less trusting depending on their underlying social outlook.

  3. In the Zone

    Evolution may have trained the mind to see scoring streaks — even where they don't exist.

  4. Humans

    Hints of earlier human exit from Africa

    New finds suggest surprisingly early migrations by Homo sapiens out of Africa through an oasis-studded Arabia.

  5. Psychology

    Stage set early for success, or failure

    Youngsters who lack self-control tend to hurtle toward a harsh rendezvous with adulthood.

  6. Animals

    Chimps wear personalities on their mugs

    Humans can assess the dominance of their close evolutionary relatives by glancing at the apes’ expressionless faces.

  7. Psychology

    Kids’ friendships sometimes illusory

    A substantial minority of third to sixth graders think they're tight with a classmate who actually dislikes them.

  8. Humans

    Reviving the taste of an Iron Age beer

    Malted barley from a 2,550-year-old Celtic settlement offers savory insights into ancient malt beverage.

  9. Meet the Growbots

    Social robots take baby steps toward humanlike smarts.

  10. Psychology

    The write stuff for test anxiety

    A brief writing exercise prompts higher exam scores for students struggling with academic stress.

  11. Humans

    Ancient farmers swiftly spread westward

    A sudden influx of Neolithic farmers in southern Europe led to agricultural practices still in play today.

  12. Psychology

    Lonely teardrops

    Women’s tears appear to contain an odorless substance that, when sniffed, lowers men’s sexual arousal.