Hi, I’m S. L. Penningroth, former professor and current mystery superfan. My blogs and books are for readers who want to learn a little bit about psychological science. But minus the boring parts. I combine my dual love of science and mysteries for your reading pleasure (“sci-steries” I call them).

I tackle questions such as these:

Do we pick our friends based on smell?

Do we get dumber during the summer (or if we move to hot climates)?

How do dogs find their way home?

Can magnetic fields be used to reduce anxiety and depression?

Can you tell someone’s personality from their dance moves?

My past publications are mainly in scientific journals. (I know, I know. SNOOZE-O-RAMA.) But, I have written some things people would voluntarily read: humor articles for The Needling, Seattle’s Only Real Fake News: for example, Parents Insist It’s Really, Totally Fine Son Chose Evergreen Over UW | The Needling).

If “sci-steries” are the type of thing you’re interested in, see the tabs for “Books” and “Blog”.