Pass the Milk: Is That a Question or an Order?

February 22, 2012 coms 0

A new study from the University of Portsmouth in Great Britain provides insight into the differences between the ways in which native English speakers and native Polish speakers use language during day-to-day interactions with family. The researchers hope their findings will lead to a greater understanding between members of the two groups and reduce misunderstandings based on cultural differences.

How to Tell If Someone Is Lying On Their Online Dating Profile

February 21, 2012 coms 1

Stories about perfect online dates who bear no resemblance to their online profiles have become fodder for television sitcom plots, late-night punch lines and, unfortunately, crime headlines. Whether these examples reflect the reality of the online dating world or simply the public’s anxieties and fears regarding online matchmaking, the truth remains that online daters can easily get away with lying about themselves for at least as long as it takes to get a foot in the door.

Confirmation Bias Is False, Says Study

February 10, 2012 coms 0

A study suggests the thought that political partisans only immerse themselves in media which reinforce their beliefs may be unfounded. They discovered that even the most partisan readers visit mainstream news sites, as well as partisan sites that express views that oppose their own.

The Art of Wearable Communication [Video]

February 9, 2012 coms 0

Kate Hartman shares with her audience her observations and personal sense of wonder about the ways in which humans communicate with themselves, with others and with the world around them in the context of modern technological advances.

Physical Attraction More Important than Many Realize [Study]

February 8, 2012 coms 0

Most people will tell you what they prefer in a car or a house or a career, and for the most part, these preferences will predict which car or house or career they will choose. However, when people claim that physical attractiveness does not factor into their search for a partner, their claim may be less accurate in predicting who they will be attracted to.

Don’t Use Facebook If You Have Low Self-Esteem [Study]

February 6, 2012 coms 2

Having a stable network of social connections helps to improve self-esteem. In reality, though, it may not work out that way. A new study conducted by Amanda Forest and Joanne Wood of the University of Waterloo found that people with low self-esteem tend to post too many negative updates, causing friends to see them as less likeable.

Significant Personality Differences Between Men And Women Found [Study]

February 4, 2012 coms 0

The issue of whether the differences between men and women are real or imaginary has been a matter of much debate. Now a new study conducted by the University of Turin in Italy and published in the journal PLoS ONE claims to have uncovered evidence that large differences in personality exist between men and women.

Trusted Sources Lend Credibility to Online Portals [Study]

February 3, 2012 coms 0

Just as retail stores are often judged by the brand names they stock, online news portals tend to be judged by the sources of the articles they post. According to a new study by researchers at Penn State and published in Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, people who access news articles from credible sources through online portals such as Yahoo News or Google News tend to view the portals themselves as more credible.