Mind & Behavior

Mind & Behavior

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

Abstract image featuring glowing lines radiating outward, creating a wave-like, undulating pattern.
"We do not experience primarily because we have brains; we experience because we are alive."
An illustration intertwines reality with imagination, featuring a cow, a rainbow, and a human skull linked by red lines and targets.
Just because you can't experience it doesn't mean it's not real.
In this striking black and white portrait, a young person with short hair gazes with a serene resolve, their face half in shadow, as if to remind us all to go grudge-free.
We have it in our power to forgive a debt — and learning to use this power in the workplace can be golden.
A hand with emotional intelligence dials a vintage rotary telephone, its coiled cord adding to the nostalgia of the black-and-white scene.
Encouraging thoughtful responses over impulsive reactions can help prevent AI exploitation in decision-making.
atoms
If atoms are mostly empty space, then why can't two objects made of atoms simply pass through each other? Quantum physics explains why.
Two young children with curly hair in striped sweaters enjoy lollipops, showcasing the whimsical nature of genes and behavior. The black-and-white photo gives a nostalgic feel.
When it comes to behavior, genetics may play a larger role than you think.
A painting on an easel at the entrance of Plato's cave overlooks misty mountains, with a small fire flickering nearby.
Plato's cave metaphor illustrates the cognitive trap of ignorance, where we may be unaware of the limitations of our understanding.
A sepia-toned illustration of a man with wavy hair, reminiscent of Keats, resting his chin on his hand and gazing thoughtfully into the distance, embodying the contemplative patience of playing the long game.
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
Silhouette of a selfish boss wearing a crown, relaxing on an office chair with feet propped up on another person's back against a cloudy sky backdrop.
Leaders ideally intertwine their own success with that of their teams — if that’s not the case at your workplace, here’s what to do.
A statue of a thoughtful, seated philosopher on the right seems to be contemplating a calling, while a standing figure holding a lyre on the left adds harmony against the textured background.
If you're an atheist with a vocation, who laid that path for you?
A wasp illustration in blue on grid paper is overlaid on a close-up image of effervescent bubbles in a golden alcoholic liquid.
Could studying the Oriental hornet lead to a treatment for people with alcohol use disorder?
Two colorful cells with purple nuclei, green cell edges, and radiating filament structures against a black background.
The findings suggest that biochemical and physical effects of exercise could help heal nerves.
Arms burdened with a large stack of papers, folders, and rolled-up documents, a person exemplifies toxic productivity. Their black bag hangs precariously from their arm as they navigate the weight of their workload.
Psychotherapist Israa Nasir explains how a “value-aligned life” can help us crush our goals — without being crushed by the need to accomplish more.
An older man sits on a chair with his finger raised. Behind him are a tangled line and a spiral, both against a green backdrop.
Today’s technology presents unique challenges for social awareness and relationship management at work, making emotional intelligence all the more critical.
Silhouette of a person against a blue background, overlaid with white node and line networks.
While we’re busy wondering whether machines will ever become conscious, we rarely stop to ask: What happens to us?
A silhouette of a person with glowing orange eyes against a brightly lit office window exudes an aura of power, casting dramatic shadows that heighten the room's awareness.
If you have any sort of power for any reasonable length of time, you will be changed by it — awareness of the effects is crucial.
Collage featuring an excavator, the ChatGPT interface, financial figures, and text that reads "The Nightcrawler," all woven into abstract design elements that subtly hint at playing the long game.
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
Open book with a gradient bar design on the left page and an illustration of founders sharing wisdom around a fire on the right page.
Startup success can often hinge on a key lesson derived from behavioral science … and Jerry Seinfeld's "Night Guy vs. Morning Guy" routine.
Colorful, blurry streaks of red, blue, and green converge towards the center on a black background, creating a dynamic and radiant starburst effect that illustrates how we see color in all its vibrant glory.
The color of the shirt you're wearing right now depends on many factors, from your eye shape to what language you speak.