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 vintage illustration of a person's head in profile, with diagrams of astronomical and conceptual systems overlaying the brain to evoke themes of consciousness, set against a yellow background.
8mins
Is science destined to crack the code of consciousness—and how would we even go about it?
John Templeton Foundation
The researchers and patients are excited to see if color vision will develop over time.
testosterone
The recipe for a perfect date night: a rom-com, a bowl of popcorn, and a syringe of testosterone — at least for gerbils, anyway.
Fluphenazine, once used to treat schizophrenia, is capable of blocking a compound connected to chronic pain.
cooperation
Americans are more willing to put the greater good above their own interests today than in the 1950s.
tribalism
From politics to culture, we blame “tribalism” for humanity’s problems. This explanation is entirely wrong.
John Templeton Foundation
When you hold yourself financially accountable, you’re likely to gain more than just some extra money.
Million Stories
porn
Instead of liberation, the sexual revolution has led some people, particularly men, to be addicted to porn.
Two figures, their heads covered in white cloth, face each other closely against a dark background, evoking the mysterious science of love.
We all want to have a good, stable relationship with somebody, says Dr. Helen Fisher. So it's important to understand how intense romantic love affects our long-term goals.
John Templeton Foundation
When you don’t know what you’re looking for, it’s easier to miss it.
wabi sabi
Perfectionism is on the rise, and its consequences for mental health can be devastating. The Japanese philosophy of "wabi sabi" can help.
insulin pills
These dissolvable pills aren’t meant to be swallowed, though.
conjoined twins
The separation of conjoined twins is fraught with stomach-churning biomedical and ethical challenges.
These salamanders are helping unlock the mysteries of brain evolution and regeneration.
Executive presence training
Executive presence training can help leaders learn how to better support their people, become more self aware, communicate effectively, and more.
Just a small gesture or a thoughtful comment can often alter a situation, or people’s perceptions of it, in ways that relieve tensions and make them feel appreciated and included.
Think you should speak about 40% of the time in conversation? How about 70%?
Passengers zooming by in subway.
Creativity and achievement require balancing hard work with the restful power of calm.
circumcision
"Our risk-benefit analysis showed that benefits exceeded procedural risks… by up to 200 to 1."