Mind & Behavior

Mind & Behavior

Study the science of how we think, feel, and act, with insights that help you better understand yourself and others.

place cells
Your brain is remarkably good at mapping out physical spaces — even if it's an imaginary space like Hogwarts. But how does the brain do it?
A person stands in front of a large face, peering into an oversized monocle held by a giant hand, as if searching for traces of free will within the magnified gaze.
5mins
Philosophers have been making the claim that free will is an illusion for hundreds of years. Dr. Uri Maoz shares what modern neuroscience has to say about it.
John Templeton Foundation
personality tests
The first personality tests revolved around assessing people’s reactions to ambiguous and often unsettling images. Today, the gold standard is a barrage of questions.
recreational drug use
5mins
This man did over 150 drugs to help teach others how to use them safely.
city syndromes
Stockholm Syndrome is the most famous of 10 psychological disorders named after world cities. Most relate to tourism or hostage-taking.
It is often assumed that AI will become so advanced that the technology will be able to do anything. In reality, there are limits.
Stendhal syndrome
People who visit Florence seem strangely susceptible to Stendhal syndrome, which is blamed on an overwhelming sense of awe.
From boosting empathy to improving therapy, virtual reality is poised to change our ideas of the self.
Certain types of dogs seem to be more discerning than others, however.
progression bias
We seem to have a "progression bias" that nudges us toward pro-relationship decisions and away from breaking up.
Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece, Fallingwater.
Frank Lloyd Wright captured serenity in his masterpiece, Fallingwater, but his egotistical tendencies made life for others anything but serene.
A woman doing therapy on her laptop
The use of AI within mental health services could be a game-changer.
popular baby names
Humans seemingly have opposing desires to fit in and to be unique. The interplay between these might drive the evolution of fads.
Bronze sculpture of a seated man resting his chin on one hand, appearing deep in thought and embodying genius traits, against a plain background.
2mins
James Gleick, the author of biographies of Isaac Newton and Richard Feynman, discusses what they and other geniuses have in common.
John Templeton Foundation
A child showing their drawing to the camera
A professor of educational psychology explains what and what not to do.
isolation experiment
This article was originally published on our sister site, Freethink. Fifteen volunteers in France just spent more than a month living in a cave — without any way to tell time — […]
dating apps
Dating apps have made it easier than ever to find a partner. Paradoxically, the ease of finding matches means some remain perpetually single.
depression paradox
Treatments for depression have significantly improved since the 1980s. So why isn't the rate of depression decreasing?
For some people, there is only one thing to live for. They commit their entire being to that thing. They are dangerous.