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

    The write stuff for test anxiety

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

  2. Humans

    Ancient farmers swiftly spread westward

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

  3. Psychology

    Lonely teardrops

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

  4. Animals

    Female chimps play with ‘dolls’

    Youngsters mimic mothering by cradling sticks, reigniting debate over sex differences in toy choices.

  5. Humans

    Google project launches new field of culture study

    An analysis of digitized books probes language change, collective memory and other cultural developments from 1800 to 2000.

  6. Psychology

    Face memory peaks late, after age 30

    Striking an unanticipated blow for mature thinkers, 30- to 34-year-olds have the best face memory.

  7. Psychology

    Connected at church, happy with life

    People who feel best about their lives combine religious identity with congregational friendships, a survey finds.

  8. Psychology

    Shared talking styles herald new and lasting romance

    Verbally in-sync conversations may help to start and maintain dating relationships.

  9. Humans

    Ancient hominid butchers get trampled

    Bone marks advanced as evidence of stone-tool use to butcher animals 3.4 million years ago may actually have resulted from animal trampling, scientists say.

  10. Psychology

    Many unhappy returns for wandering minds

    A cell phone–based survey finds that people frequently feel worse when their minds wander than when they focus on the moment.

  11. Psychology

    Aboriginal time runs east to west

    Some indigenous Australians envision time moving westward, suggesting that culture shapes how people think about this basic concept.

  12. Humans

    Deep African roots for toolmaking method

    A method for trimming stone-tool edges appeared 75,000 years ago in southern Africa, archaeologists contend, long before previous evidence of the practice.