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The article discusses studies on bad behavior in the workplace by Christine Porath, associate professor at Gorgetown University's business school. Topics discussed include toxic behavior as a product of certain kinds of environments, factors that unleash hostile behaviors that play on the fears of others and basic skills to shield oneself from toxic behavior including controlling exposure and managing reactivity.

The article discusses the unintended consequences of the promotion of thin and ultra-athletic physical forms in such media as Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Based on the study by associate professor of psychology Bryan Karazsia of College of Wooster in Ohio and his colleague Catherine Benton as of September 2015, looking at such physical forms result in body dissatisfaction among women. Also cited is the study by Grove City College professor Kristin Homan on the topic.

The article reports on a study which found that neuroticism, a trait typically associated with increased mortality, may actually extend some people's lifespans.

The article focuses on the subject of women's sexuality. Anne Heche, Julie Cypher and Cynthia Nixon are examples of women celebrities who had pursued relationships with both men and women. According to a study by University of Cardiff's Robert J. Snowden and Nicolas S. Grey, straight women are aroused by both male and female erotica. Psychologist Roy Baumeister points out the possibility that a flexible sex drive enables women to better adapt to changing situations. INSET: Neither straight nor narrow..

An interview with director Paul Weitz is presented. He cites the similarities between his father who was a successful fashion designer and Nick Flynn's father and notes that his mother's story of humility is like Nick in the film "Being Flynn." He notes that he was pressured to try to make money and he was thrilled after he and his brother were paid to write Antz. He indicates his anxiety when he started to work on his own projects such as "Being Flynn."

An interview with author Chuck Klosterman is presented. He cites whether he agrees with the argument of the main character in his novel "The Visible Man" that people consider only what others validate to be reality. He notes how other people's reactions to his work confirmed, negated, or otherwise altered his own constructions. He also describes how he felt about the fact that his parents have no idea what he does for a living.

The article presents psychology-related puzzles that tempt one to focus on the wrong thing, adapted from the book "The Playful Brain," by Richard Restak and Scott Kim.

An interview with Sophie Auster, a singer, is presented. Auster admits that she is lucky yet adds that working on her music release without pay is difficult. She notes that by working alone, she needed discipline to write her lyrics as there is no one to guide her. Auster states that she did not feel pressured to follow the craft of her parents who are both renowned authors.

The article discusses a list of 14 foods released by the Chicago, Illinois-based Institute of Food Technologists which should be consumed regularly to maintain mind and body. It says that barley can lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood sugar levels while quinoa and buckwheat regulates the flow of nutrients into the system. Other foods suggested include brown rice, rye and tomatoes. INSET: CHECK YOUR PULSES.

The article reports on the decline in the number of adults in the U.S. who consumed three or more vegetable servings a day in 2009 despite a rising tide of information about healthy eating. It offers information on a study which found that eating behaviors are particularly sensitive to the ironic effect of external controls. The article also suggests that the cure for the dietary problems is not providing more healthy information, such as nutritional labeling, but addressing the underlying motivational issues that lead people to eat unhealthy foods. INSET: Culinary Contradictions.

The article reports on a study which found that people living at higher altitudes are at greater risk of self-induced death. Lead researcher Larry Renshaw believes that the reduced oxygen levels has an effect on brain chemistry and that it is possible that the limited oxygen exacerbates preexisting mood disorders.

The article discusses the status of addiction in the U.S. Topics covered include the increase in the number of people addicted to prescription drugs, the growth in illicit-drug use, and why teenagers are at a high risk of abusing prescription drugs. It discusses treatments for drug abuse, medications used in curing addiction which include naltrexone and buprenorphine, and the addiction treatment coverage of the Affordable Care Act.

The article discusses several issues on personal relationships, particularly on sex. Based on the study by medical sociologist Shari Dworkin of the University of California, San Francisco, 70% of college male students want that their partners should also initiate sexual contact. The study by sexuality researcher Deanne Simms of the University of New Brunswick on the issue is also cited.

The article discusses the uncommon conversations about concerns about sexual pleasure and pain. It reflects on the experience of gynecologist Susan H. Grant receiving an email from an 18-year-old woman who cannot orgasm. It references a survey which found that just 14 percent of patients routinely ask patients about pleasure, fewer than 30 percent ask about sexual orientation and 40 percent inquire about sexual dysfunction.

The article discusses how character interacts with compensation. According to a study, kinder people are more likely to have a socially rewarding, less lucrative professions like social work. Andrew Hussey found that businessmen who openly embrace ethics earn 3.4 less compared to their immoral peers. A study found that students who regularly volunteered, played sports, and joined clubs were more likely to be on a career path rather than just in a job compared to their less-involved peers.

An interview with New School for Social Research psychologist Daniel Casasanto about the flexibility of the human mind is presented. He explains how people's understanding of certain words, attitudes, and decisions are largely influenced by individual physical experiences with the environments. He suggests some examples of these works. He also describes the association of goodness with the side of an individual's body.

The article offers information on body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). It describes BDD as a pathological preoccupation with perceived defects in one's appearance, wherein sufferers lose the ability to see the entire self that the supposedly defective parts fit into. Psychiatrist Jamie D. Feusner of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that this might stem from a problem with big-picture perception. Several treatment approaches for BDD are suggested, including antidepressants. INSET: See yourself clearly.

The article discusses how a feeling of jealousy affects one's body. Neuroscientist Hidehiko Takahashi of Kyoto University explained how the brain reacted to this kind of emotion. Psychiatrist Frank John Ninivaggi, however, suggests that this also ramps up production of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Information on how jealousy impacts the heart is also provided.

The article discusses the physiology of blood flow with regards to total mental absorption. People can achieve the state of total mental absorption by pairing skill level with sufficient difficulty. It describes aural fixation as a condition in which blood flow is directed to the regions in the brain that process relevant sounds, allowing random sounds to be tuned out. Michael Esterman of Attention and Learning Lab states that primal needs are disregarded when one is engrossed in a task.

The article focuses on a study on the use of gene silencing in managing pain. It notes that pain levels are determined in part by the firing rate of the nerve cells, adding that the firing rate can be reduced by blocking the gene that controls electrical signaling. The study involves mice that are genetically engineered to lack the hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channel 2 (HCN2) gene. Those without the HCN2 gene have been able to withstand discomfort longer.

The article previews makeups which allegedly can influence the mood including Happy Boost Blend bronzer from Physicians Formula, Smiley perfume from Firmenich, and Active Foaming Moisturizer from Kroia Chromotherapy.

The article offers information on the results of a study from the University of Basel which discovered trends in how people evaluate themselves over the lifespan after examining self-reported emotions of 13-to-89-year-olds.

The article discusses new studies which show that caffeine has multiple neuroprotective effects. A study by Harvard University researchers found a lower risk of glioma among 30-year-olds who have been drinking five or more cups of coffee and tea each day. Scientists at University of Florida found that caffeine in rats reduces amyloid deposition, which causes Alzheimer's disease in humans. Another study suggests that caffeine can boost physical endurance by blocking the adenosine receptor on sensory nerve endings.

The article discusses research on how nature affects self-esteem and environmental concern of women. A study by researcher Kari Hennigan published in "Ecopsychology" suggests that spending time with nature makes women feel more optimistic about their body images. Researcher Gretchen Nurse confirms a different sense of environmental concern among women in her survey of men's and women's environmental attitudes. A University of St. Thomas study shows that women obsessed with their personal appearance engage in fewer environment-friendly behaviors.

The article discusses research on the association between diabetes and bad temper. A study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University has suggested that people who have difficulty in metabolizing glucose tend to be more aggressive and have less energy to devote to self-control. Another study has found that people who drank a glass of sugar-sweetened lemonade acted less aggressive than those who drank artificially sweetened lemonade. Researcher Brad Bushman says his studies found a correlation between high crime rates and rising diabetes rates. INSET: SPOONFUL OF VIGOR.

A quiz about communication in interpersonal relationships is presented.