Mind & Behavior

Mind & Behavior

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

A blue background with a man's face behind bars depicting depression.
It could explain why so many people don’t respond to common antidepressants.
Someday, scientists could use stem cells to guide the development of synthetic organs for patients awaiting transplants.
Keywords: grief, flowers

Description: A depiction of a sorrowful woman surrounded by flowers, symbolizing the stages of grief.
Grief never ends. There is no closure, but there are things we can do to mitigate the feeling of loss.
A yellow brain drawing on a blue background, emphasizing speech.
The structure is fully developed in humans, partially developed in chimps, and completely absent in Old World monkeys.
A man displaying signs of hoarding disorder, sitting in a car in a garage.
Now that the DSM lists severe hoarding as a disorder apart from OCD, psychologists are asking what explains its prevalence.
A vintage photograph capturing a couple by a turntable in black and white.
Your heart rate reveals your brain activity, which in turn can predict hit songs — and maybe stock performance, as well.
An image of a spiritually enlightened man posing with a celestial blue ball in tribute to Carl Sagan.
In polarized times, our shared cellular origin can unite us in solidarity and awe — from the embryonic scale to the grandest cosmic perspective.
An image of a sunset through a window.
How the simple act of watching twilight can radically transform our perception of the world and our role within it.
John Templeton Foundation
A successful man in a suit captured in a black and white photo.
Psychopathic tendencies may be present to some extent in all of us. New research is reframing this often sensationalized and maligned set of traits and finding some positive twists.
A silhouette of a man holding up a newspaper, inspired by Dan Ariely.
Big Think covered the 2012 study shortly after it was published. We are now correcting the record.
An infographic displaying the various types of work preferences according to Myers-Briggs.
If you’ve looked for a job recently, you may have encountered the personality test. You may also have wondered if it was backed by scientific research.
A woman in a vibrant dress is standing against a minimalist backdrop.
Why does the DMT experience feel so familiar to some people — even those who are trying the psychedelic for the first time?
A pixelated image depicting the structure of a human brain.
A study involving nearly 2,000 people found links between personality traits and the likelihood of moving toward or away from dementia.
Dune features a determined protagonist in Frank Herbert's science fiction masterpiece.
These initially sympathetic characters take readers down a dark path.
A painting showcasing the enigmatic visage of a bearded man, invoking intrigue and perhaps evoking insight into the psychology of criminals through subtle symbolism.
Great writing can unveil the criminal psyche better than any other artistic medium.
A man experiences Stendhal syndrome while smiling in front of a red light frame.
The strange case of cultured ultra-thief Stéphane Breitwieser — who claims “art is my drug” — has divided opinion. Is it Stendhal syndrome?
A woman experiencing a near-death event with her head uplifted.
There were many similarities, but also some profound differences.