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 human skull rests on a closed book beside an inkwell, a quill, a candlestick, and an open book—evoking the timeless allure of books that will change your life on a dimly lit tabletop.
"Our ultimate goal, after all, is not a good death but a good life to the very end."
A man in a suit sits on a chair against a white backdrop, with torn paper edges revealing dark storm clouds on the left and a sunny sky with clouds on the right.
1hr 24mins
“There are at least three very much interrelated misconceptions about trauma right now.”
Abstract image showing a partial view of a clock face with distorted numbers and swirling, colorful lines on a black background.
3mins
The brain is an “illusion factory.” Here’s what that means for our perception of time.
Unlikely Collaborators
A bearded man wearing glasses and a plaid shirt speaks with a microphone clipped to his collar in front of a purple background with white dots.
12mins
The hospital where Rainn Wilson’s wife and son nearly died became his own personal holy site. There, he discovered that the sacred can exist in places we least expect it. During his talk at A Night of Awe and Wonder, he explained how the awe we feel in moments of courage and love is moral beauty — and following it might be the start of our spiritual revolution.
A man in a suit stands facing a large human eye, positioned at the center of the pupil as if about to step inside.
1hr 12mins
“Consciousness is fundamental. It's a fundamental property of the world that we inhabit, a fundamental property of the universe.”
Two women at a window; one leans on the sill smiling, perhaps sharing jokes, while the other stands behind, partially concealed, holding a white cloth to her face.
Is your humor affiliative or adversarial?
A black and white soccer ball floats on the surface of the ocean under a partly cloudy sky.
10mins
“When you start to accept that you have profound influence on the world, but very limited control, you start to see the world differently.”
A painting of a man with a beard.
Panpsychist philosopher Philip Goff, PhD on mysticism and the future of faith.
John Templeton Foundation
Close-up of a burnt matchstick with smoke swirling around its charred tip against a dark background.
2mins
“In most instances, ‘good enough’ is good enough.” A time management expert, a cognitive scientist, and a psychologist share their takes on productivity, perfectionism, and the harm of hustle culture.
Unlikely Collaborators
Book cover for "The Devil Is a Southpaw" by Brandon Hobson, featuring two black birds flying over large red and blue text that boldly displays the title on a cream background.
A preview of the latest novel by the National Book Award finalist Brandon Hobson.
A collage titled "The Nightcrawler," featuring a hand planting a seed, a distressed woman holding her head, and repetitive office cubicles in purple tones, explores trust amid cycles of anxiety and routine.
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
A beam of light shines through clouds in a painted sky, with the word "AWE" in large yellow letters centered in the image.
14mins
If you’ve gotten goosebumps when hearing a story about a stranger’s selfless heroism, or you’ve felt your chest swell at a concert, when the audience’s voice and the musician’s instruments align, you have felt awe. And, according to professor Dacher Keltner, who has spent his life studying it, it’s one of humankind’s most unifying traits:
Six brain MRI scan images are arranged in two rows, showing various cross-sectional views of the human brain, with the bottom row featuring a blue and pink color overlay.
3mins
From neuroscience to philosophy, experts reveal why compassion may be the most important human skill we have.
Unlikely Collaborators
A person stands alone on calm water with the word "STILLNESS" in bold letters over the scene.
21mins
“The idea is that we move from a place of wanting the world to conform to what we like [towards] not needing other people to be different from who they are.”
An older man sits on a chair gesturing with his hands in front of a blue background featuring a black sinusoidal waveform and an arrow.
Why the most enduring organizations stop chasing trends and start designing systems that prioritize people over processes.
A green book cover with blue text, inspired by Goldie Chan's vibrant style.
Introverts have social batteries that will drain over time, but they can be recharged with good energy hygiene. Here’s how.
An illustration of an eye outline formed by two black arrows, with a blue Earth at the center where the iris would be, on a textured beige and peach background.
An ode to the data visualization tools that help us see what is too vast, complex, or interconnected for the naked eye — from planetary systems to pandemic trends.
A man in a light blue shirt sits on a chair in a white studio with a teal background featuring graphs and charts.
1hr
“Let me walk you through the biggest traps that you should be aware of that are a danger to your financial wellbeing.”
A pencil sketch of a clown with raised arms, wearing a pointed hat and a polka-dot costume, on a blue and off-white background.
It's no wonder great writers swear by messy first drafts.
Book cover of "Playful" by Cas Holman with Lydia Denworth, featuring colorful letters and googly eyes on the "u" and "l." Subtitles discuss creativity, connection, play, and insights from play research.
In this excerpt from "Playful," Cas Holman surveys the research that brought the neuroscience of play into the mainstream.