The Science Behind Temptation

By Elaine Grant on Wednesday, November 25, 2009.

When we reach for yet another slice of apple pie - even as we loosen our belts – it’s hard not to think of Oscar Wilde’s aphorism, "I can resist everything except temptation."

Whether it’s an extravagant holiday gift that we really can’t afford or another helping of grandma’s stuffing, the science of why we ache for things we shouldn’t have is just now being examined with rigor.

Piercarlo Valdesolo wrote about the new science of temptation for Scientific American and joins us from his family’s home in Andover, Mass., as he prepares for his thanksgiving feast.

Scientific American: The New Science of Temptation

New Scientist: Over-confidence leads us into temptation

Current: The Science of Temptation

(Photo by sansreproache via Flickr/Creative Commons)

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