Mind & Behavior

Mind & Behavior

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

An AI-generated illustration of a man sitting at a desk, accompanied by thought-provoking poetry.
Cognitive psychologist and poet Keith Holyoak explores whether artificial intelligence could ever achieve poetic authenticity.
A collage of images capturing a woman with her eyes closed, hinting at the possibility of sleep deprivation.
Big Think recently spoke with sleep psychologist Dr. Jade Wu about the surprising consequences of forgoing sleep.
A man in a suit hypnotizing a woman.
Many still consider hypnosis more of a cheap magician’s trick than legitimate clinical medicine.
A graph showing the death rate on everest.
The world’s highest mountain is also the world’s highest cemetery, with some bodies serving as creepy landmarks for today’s climbers.
The golden Buddha statue at McDonald's towering beside the iconic McDonald's sign.
Adrie Kusserow, an anthropologist and scholar of Buddhism, shares how her study of the religion and its history has reshaped her view of the world — and herself.
A group of business people tackling loneliness, shaking hands in front of a window.
The world’s workplaces are growing lonelier — but the solution requires less than you might expect.
A close up image of a group of pink bacteria on a black background.
Research suggests that to maintain a healthy brain, we should tend our gut microbiome.
A close up of a neuron in a dark background.
People who die by suicide are more likely to have reduced levels of the NPAS4 gene, which helps regulate inflammation in the brain.
Charles bridge in prague, czech republic.
Uncovering the story of Milan Hausner, the Sadská clinic, and LSD psychotherapy behind the Iron Curtain.
An old photograph of a man sitting under an apple tree.
Neuroscience supports the notion that an escape from conventional perspectives can be a gateway to spectacular insights.
A successful man standing with his arms crossed in front of a vibrant blue background.
The innovative investor and entrepreneur deals out advice for anyone looking to follow in his footsteps.
A man's back with a man's head in front of a colorful background.
One dose of ibogaine was shown to dramatically reduce depression and PTSD.
An image of a brain exhibiting the tetris effect.
Prolonged and repetitive tasks rewire us in profound ways – which can be a force for good at work.
A yellow balloon lying on the ground in front of a car.
Studies claiming to reveal strategies for feeling happy get a second look.
The honest power of placebos.
Placebo treatments don't always need to be given deceptively to have positive effects.
An illustration of a bacterium on a black background related to Parkinson's disease.
Growing evidence suggests a link between the debilitating neurological illness and the microbes that live in our intestines. The vagus nerve may be a pathway.
A swimmer is utilizing psychology for success while swimming in a pool at night.
Psychologist Noel Brick shares the mental techniques we can use to improve our performance on and off the field.
A silhouette of a person standing out amidst a crowd, evoking memories and exploring the complexities of consciousness.
High-frequency oscillations that ripple through our brains may generate memory and conscious experience.
Neuroscience of rivalry: Fans of England experience intense celebration after their win over Switzerland.
For better teamwork, take a lesson from research into soccer fans who put aside their tribalism.
A picture of an electric vehicle charging station.
A new analysis suggests previous "total cost of ownership" studies overlooked key factors.