Remember that story about the molecule found in turkey that makes you drowsy? Research shows it’s a myth – tryptophan doesn’t cause you to nod off, but it may be connected to cooperation.
Pain is something everyone experiences. This episode of The Anthill podcast explores how and why it works in our brains, what kinds of drugs are being developed to reduce pain, and whether or not robots of the future should be built so that they experience pain.
Hollywood pushes a fantasy version of what neuroscience can do in the courtroom. But the field does have real benefits to offer, right now: solid evidence on what would improve prisons.
Introspection won’t necessarily reveal what’s going on in there.
Photo by Septian simon on Unsplash
Prejudice and stereotypes are part of why social inequality persists. Social scientists use tests to measure the implicit biases people harbor and see how much they relate to actions.
Behavioural scientists says trick-or-treaters can give us insight into human psychology.
(Shutterstock)
Most religions are populated by an impressive cadre of ghosts, gods, spirits and angels.
Coca-Cola executives Robert C. Goizueta and Donald R. Keough toast cans of ‘New Coke’ – a product rollout that’s considered one of the biggest business blunders of all time.
AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler
Reaching out for reassurance every time you have a doubt, or problem, might seem helpful in the short term. But learning to face uncertainty is essential to managing our mental health.
Who will emerge as this year’s David Freese?
Eric Gay/AP Photo
Racial bias is associated with dehumanizing social groups different from your own. Psychologists trained kids to differentiate individuals of another race – with lasting effects on their biases.
The concept of mindfulness differs depending on who you speak to.
Lua Valentia/Unsplash
There is no clear-cut definition of what mindfulness actually is. This has potentially serious implications.
Repression is a defensive process where the mind forgets or places events, thoughts and memories we cannot acknowledge or bear elsewhere.
Roxanne Milward/Flickr