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 image of a spiral galaxy in space.
We need a hypothesis that accounts for both the fine-tuning of physics for life but also the arbitrariness and gratuitous suffering we find in the world.
A man showcasing his strength by lifting a barbell in the barren desert.
"Precarious manhood" is the belief that manhood must be earned and constantly defended. It has a poor outcome.
A statue of three monkeys covering their faces.
We all have a place in our lives where we look the other way and pretend everything is fine. It's a built-in excuse to act selfishly.
A man and woman demonstrating emotional intelligence while sitting at a table with a laptop.
In an environment of impressive IQs, emotional intelligence makes all the difference.
A group of people sleeping on a train.
Lucid dreamers may have “privileged access to their inner world,” with “heightened awareness… to the outside world.”
A photo of a woman with a purple and black background, capturing the spirit of memory athletes.
Katie Kermode — a memory athlete with four world records — tells Big Think about her unique spin on an ancient technique to memorize unfathomably long lists of information.
A painting of orange and red circles on a blue background, displaying randomness in its arrangement.
To break "analysis paralysis," reduce the number of available options — and introduce an element of chance.
A heat map of the human body.
Survey data suggests that our bodily perceptions of love extend far beyond the heart.
A man standing in front of a display of pastries at Panera Bread.
Every opportunity seized is another lost — but not choosing is the worst choice of all.
A group of people, part of a doomsday cult, in white robes standing in front of a white chair.
If someone can make you feel insecure, incomplete, and inadequate, they then can present themselves as the solution you need.
Two people laying down in a field, reflecting on their habits and contemplating their battles with depression.
A healthy lifestyle even protects those who are genetically predisposed to depression.
A group of people collaboratively envisioning the future of work on a piece of paper.
To thrive in a rapidly changing future, we will need adaptable and diverse skill sets. Here’s where to look.
A black and blue image of a chemical symbol featuring mirror image.
This biochemist is determined to create a new life form by reversing the shape of molecules.
A silhouette of a boy jumping into the water.
12mins
Thinkers like Richard Reeves, Louise Perry, and Judith Butler discuss parenthood and the future of the sexual revolution.
BetterHelp
A group of marijuana pills on a white surface.
The benefits of the psychedelic seem to last long after the trip wears off.
A man sitting in a chair next to a woman, pondering Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy.
The great philosopher spent the final portion of his painful life in a vegetative state. Did illness get him there, or was it his own philosophy?
An old drawing of a man with his hand in his head, exploring the depths of free will.
Neural imaging has shown that the brain has “decided” what we’re going to do before we make a conscious choice — but is this even relevant to free will?
A group of people hugging in front of a secret camera.
Intrinsic motivation cannot be imposed on a team — but you can provide the right culture for it to flourish.