The Language Quadrant

Influencing factors of students who take a language, focusing on exposure, interest, and peer pressure From AP exams to course selections, it’s becoming clear that the competitive environment students face in school is getting worse by the second. For some, it might be a time to pave their career pathways, while others want to relish …

Facing Face Pareidolia: Gendering of Inanimate Objects

Exploring gender bias in individuals’ perception of inanimate objects

Sweet Dreams

A teen recalls how her dreams and nightmares have changed over the years “Did you have nightmares growing up?” the lady asks, pulling out a notepad from her large wooden desk.  I open my mouth to speak, but then pause to think about it. Growing up I remember having nightmares regularly. Looking back now, they …

Double Minded

The discovery of the REM stage of sleep as a girl navigates her way through two different worlds. “I didn’t do it! I didn’t do it!” Layla exclaimed. Her best friend in college had accused Layla of telling her darkest secret to their entire friend group. Layla felt as if her life was going to …

Meaning Behind Meals

Food is often used to bring people together, but are there any proven benefits to sitting down and having a meal with someone? Whether it’s a potluck with neighbors, a picnic with friends or a dinner with family, food is often used to bring people together, whether it be sharing a meal with a friend …

Chasing Humanity

Exploring the development of a neural net powered by nanobots that can help treat depressive episodes in humans.

The Expenses of Depression

Exploring the ethics of new brain implant technology. By Dahlia Schilling and Kalyani Puthenpurayil Recently, the University of California San Francisco conducted a study on whether brain implants can help treat severe and treatment-resistant depression. The experiment has only been conducted on one patient thus far but results look promising and the scientists are looking …

The Role Played by Biased Media

Biased, or untrue, media plays a huge role in the believability and spread of conspiracy theories

The Science Behind Science Denial

Discussing the psychology behind science denialism and its impact on MVHS. To some of us, science is simply a fact, but to others, science is something people can choose whether or not to believe. While the scientific method involves careful experimentation and data analysis, and the process of publication of peer-reviewed journals ensures that scientific …

One Country, Two Colors

Explaining political polarization through psychology.  On Wednesday, Jan. 6, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building to overturn his election defeat, clearly displaying America’s deep political divide to the world. Now more than ever, our country is split between red and blue. Instead of focusing on the true quality of government, the focus …