Did the Prosperity Gospel Help Elect Trump?
New research finds some voters conflate worldly success with morality.
Tom Jacobs
Tom Jacobs is a senior staff writer at Pacific Standard, where he specializes in social science, culture, and learning. He is a veteran journalist and former staff writer for the Los Angeles Daily News and the Santa Barbara News-Press. Through interviews, reviews, and essays, he has tracked and analyzed trends in the arts and sciences, with an emphasis on psychology, the role of culture, and the cultivation of creativity. A native of Chicago, Jacobs earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from Northwestern University.
Attractive People Charge More on Airbnb
In the short-term rental market, the key factors are location, location, and cheekbones.
How to Increase Trust in the Media
News consumers are more trusting of the media when they're exposed to fact-checking, per new research.
The Benefits of Letting Students Sleep In
A later start time of the school day is linked to better grades.
Discomfort With Multiculturalism Linked to Despair
New research points to a possible precursor to America's suicide and opioid epidemics.
We Still Believe That Genius Is Male
New research finds men are favored for jobs requiring a first-rate intellect.
Late-Night Tweeting Degrades Next-Day Performance
A new study of NBA players documents the cost of sleep deprivation.
Another Threat to Our Democracy: Narcissism
New research finds self-centered people are less likely to support democratic values.
Being in Nature Makes Your Heart Healthier
New research finds that exposure to the natural world lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing stress.
Why Female CEOs Are More Likely to Be Fired
The pattern holds even when their firm is performing well.
Don't Have a Heart Attack in a Poor Neighborhood
New research finds it takes longer for ambulances to arrive and transport a critically ill patient to a hospital in low-income areas.
'The Wizard of Oz' Is the Most Influential Movie of All Time
As the film approaches its 80th anniversary, a new ranking shows that the classic retains its cultural cachet.
Why Migrants Are Often Dissatisfied With Their Coyotes
In a recent study, the behavior most strongly linked to a negative recommendation was abandonment.
New Research Suggests That Government Spending Can Spread Happiness
Want a content citizenry? Try allocating tax dollars to roads, parks, and libraries.
A Macho Mindset Drives Support for Trump
Two new studies offer insights into the president's appeal. One reveals a deep irony.
Why Superman May Inspire Altruistic Behavior
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a man making a charitable donation!
Why Are Opioid Abuse Rates Higher Among Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals?
New research suggests that sexual minorities are particularly vulnerable to dependency on these drugs.
More Evidence Linking '13 Reasons Why' With Teen Suicide Attempts
A survey of youths at high risk of suicide found that half had watched at least one episode of the Netflix series.
More Evidence That Trained Musicians Are Superior Thinkers
New research suggests that practicing Bach and Beethoven can build up the brain.
Using Fahrenheit Can Obscure the True Severity of Climate Change
New research finds that our response to a projected temperature rise differs depending on the scale we use.
How Trump Is Damaging Democracy, According to One Political Scientist
A Cornell University government scholar warns that false claims of voter fraud have dangerous long-term implications.
With Warmer Winters Comes More Violent Crime
If stronger hurricanes can't convince you that climate change is dangerous, how about the increased odds of getting mugged?
Celebrity Endorsements Help Doubters Accept the Truth of Evolution
People who don't believe scientists will listen to George Clooney.
Gun-Related Homicides Are Once Again on the Rise
New research finds that the rate of such tragedies, which had been declining, has returned to the level of 12 years ago.
Civil Rights Protests in the 1960s Changed Attitudes and Voting Patterns
New research presents evidence of the long-term impact of direct action.
Yes, the Mid-Terms Were a Blue Wave
Political scientist David Faris argues that Tuesday's mid-terms were a clear repudiation of President Donald Trump and his party.
Your Taste in Art Helps Predict Your Support for Brexit
A different type of post-election analysis finds an aesthetic divide in the United Kingdom.
Fundamentalists Are More Likely to Fall for Fake News
So are dogmatic and delusion-prone people, according to new research.
Fear of Disloyalty Drives Anti-Immigrant Bias
New research finds that majority-group members are wary of newcomers who hold dual identities.
Intolerant Cultures Thrive Closer to the Equator
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Microdosing May Increase Creativity
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Thrill-Seeking Is an Overlooked Catalyst for Political Violence
New research pinpoints how the desire for excitement inspires support for violent extremism.
How the Pittsburgh Massacre Fits Into America's Long History of Anti-Semitism
Violence driven by racial or religious hatred is as American as apple pie, according to a cultural anthropologist who has studied the white-power movement.
Residents of Politically Divided Counties Give Less to Charity
New research finds higher levels of philanthropy in ideologically homogeneous areas.
Beyond Red and Blue: America's Seven Political Tribes
New research finds a majority of Americans are tired of political polarization, and are looking for compromise.
Parental Leave Laws Encourage Breastfeeding
However, new research finds this effect is limited to wealthier women.
How Political Polarization Breeds Ignorance
There's new evidence that we trust the expertise of fellow political partisans, even when there is reason not to.
Americans Are Distinguishing Between Muslims and Terrorists
New research finds overall feelings toward the religious minority did not dampen in the aftermath of two major terrorist attacks.
Uber Increases Mass Transit Ridership
New research finds the ride-sharing service is more of a complement to public transportation than a substitute.
Altruists Make More Money and Have More Kids
There's more evidence that selfishness is self-defeating.
Virtual Reality Can Increase Empathy for the Homeless
New research finds it's an effective way to step into the shoes of someone less fortunate.
Masculine Traits Are Still Linked to Leadership
When defining an effective leader, traditionally feminine characteristics are considered secondary to attributes like assertiveness.
Research Suggests Trump's Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Is Making Americans More Xenophobic
White Americans hold many negative stereotypes about undocumented workers.
Evangelicals' Porn Viewing Is on the Rise
But frequent churchgoers and Biblical literalists have successfully resisted the temptation.
You Don't Really Want that Burger—You Want Higher Social Status
An evolutionary leftover makes it hard to convince people to shift to a vegetarian diet.
Trump, Kavanaugh, and the Fruits of 'Dignity Politics'
Political scientist Francis Fukuyama argues we can only heal our national divisions with a new, creed-based American identity.
Drink Beer, Save the Planet
New research finds most American beer drinkers are willing to pay more for an eco-friendly brew.
Home Libraries Confer Long-Term Benefits
A large new study finds people who grew up in book-filled homes have higher reading, math, and technological skills.
States With a Higher Percentage of Right-Handed Residents Tend to Lean Republican
In describing political preference, "right" and "left" may be more than a metaphor.
Trump's Appeal to the Cognitively Challenged
New research reports Trump voters were more likely to perform poorly on a test of intellectual ability.