What are some examples of statistics or scientific findings that are in opposition to people's intuitions and conventional wisdom? [more inside]
posted by lunchbox on Dec 29, 2008 - 42 answers

In an image like this, does the alignments of the faces affect the viewers' perceptions or opinions of the people, and if so, does this cognitive bias for or against left or right carry over even to images where the faces are the same (Ie: "I think both people on the left side of either image look more trustworthy.")? Does the alignment of a single subject and addition of negative space also have an affect ("The woman in the second image looks meaner.")? I'm not so much asking for a referendum on these particular examples as I am curious about any empirical studies or statistics relating to this topic. Thanks!
posted by Alvy Ampersand on Sep 27, 2008 - 2 answers

I just heard an NPR story about how history books have changed to reflect the books' editorial biases. For instance, the author cites aged history books changing explanation of the reason for the Mexican-American war. Have any of you MeFites done any (formal or informal) research into this phenomenon? How can I learn more?
posted by parilous on Nov 21, 2006 - 15 answers

Clothes Shopping Advice: I did it again. I bought what I thought was a quality knit top on sale and the damn thing is now "twisting" on me. Are there any tips or tricks to spotting whether a piece of clothing is well-made before you buy it? [more inside]
posted by web-goddess on Nov 2, 2006 - 5 answers

I am interested in an analyst position at the FBI, but ultimately, I would like to work for a non-profit like Human Rights Watch or as a researcher at a think tank. I know that if you've worked for the FBI, there are certain things that you can never do because of it, such as joining the Peace Corp, for example. So my question is: would working for the FBI compromise my future career aspirations? Would I forever be seen as biased by possible employers? Is it really true, as people tell me, that "once a member of the Bureau, always a member of the Bureau"? And, what does that REALLY mean?
posted by exacta_perfecta on Mar 20, 2006 - 5 answers

How can you trust websites that include a comments section but delete comments that disagree with the original poster? [more inside]
posted by SeizeTheDay on Dec 5, 2005 - 22 answers

How can tests be biased? Isn't it simply a matter of understanding concepts related to the material and the language the test is given in?
posted by @homer on Apr 3, 2004 - 10 answers