Mind & Behavior

Mind & Behavior

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

two hands reaching for each other with the words your true age.
9mins
Your chronological age and your biological age aren’t the same thing. This ex-Yale professor explains how to tell the difference.
Close-up of a classical painting depicting a sleeping child with curly blonde hair, rosy cheeks, and closed eyes—lying on their side against a dark background, capturing the peaceful transition between wakefulness and consciousness.
Neuroscience is beginning to provide clues about the emergence of human consciousness.
John Templeton Foundation
a group of penguins standing on top of a rock.
If you think everyone around you is terrible, the joke may be on you.
a painting of a couch and a hot air balloon.
The hallucinations that characterize schizophrenia may be due to a "reality threshold" that is lower than it should be.
a close up of a sign with writing on it.
Maintain peace of mind during tax season by correctly filling out your W-4.
Million Stories
A person standing on top of a rock in the water.
Claims of a "loneliness epidemic" aren't based on robust data. Loneliness might be a problem, but it's not worse than it was in the past.
a jet is flying through the air with smoke coming out of it.
Take a hint from Einstein and Mozart — unplug and make peace with some degree of failure.
a group of people standing on top of a hill.
Intelligence is not fixed but fluid. A growth mindset allows our brains to flourish while lowering our stress levels.
a drawing of a clown wearing a red and blue hat.
Rather than sending serial killer art to auctions, it should be sent to abnormal psychologists for research.
a picture of a group of curved lines.
A recent study highlights the astounding adaptability of the human brain.
A child standing in front of a wall of jellyfish.
Despite a reputation for catastrophe and cat killings, curiosity is a beneficial drive that improves our lives and well-being.
a black and white photo of two women sitting next to each other.
We know that everything changes, but we long for something more permanent.
a pink pig with a smile on its face.
One reason saving is hard: We tend to view our "future selves" as complete strangers, and our decisions in the present moment reflect that.
Million Stories
a pile of money sitting on top of a pile of money.
If a person stands little chance of ever being wealthy, perhaps playing the lottery is a rational decision.
a number of different types of numbers on a pink background.
Striking differences in the composition of the gut microbiome suggest that fermented food could help those suffering from anorexia.
a woman's face is shown with a colorful background.
Forgetting and misremembering are the building blocks of creativity and imagination.
a close up of a person with freckles on his face.
1hr 25mins
Richard Reeves explains the big problems facing men today — and why no one is talking about them.
a large group of clouds with a red sky in the background.
These composers channeled the horror of the Holocaust and Hiroshima while honoring those who lived through it.
a painting of a couple of zebras on a blue background.
The discovery has enormous implications for the development of novel anti-anxiety medications.
Two abstract human figures stand next to each other on the left, while a pair of white eyes emerges from a dark, textured background on the right.
6mins
From DMT elves, to God, to the figures in our dreams — why are humans so obsessed with the supernatural?