Cognitive Development

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Cognitive Development

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A human hand is positioned palm up below a floating anatomical model of a human brain against a plain light blue background.
3mins
Perception Box
How humans create reality through language and beliefs
Language is a huge part of human development, even the language we keep to ourselves. Three experts explain how words and beliefs can change our brains and our lives:
Agustín Fuentes, Daniel Dennett & Ethan Kross
Unlikely Collaborators
A digital illustration of a human brain next to a crescent moon on a dark background.
3mins
Perception Box
How REM sleep unlocks human function
Sleeping better helps you think better, which helps you live better. Three experts explain why quality sleep is imperative to brain function, problem solving, communication, and more.
Patrick McNamara, Shelby Harris & Dave Asprey
Unlikely Collaborators
9mins
Explain It Like I’m Smart
The psychopathic brain is different—but it CAN be treated
Humans are among the most altruistic species that we’ve studied, due to our alloparental instincts – a trait we evolved into that allows us to care for offspring who are […]
Abigail Marsh
A solitary figure is suspended in midair above a textured ground, set against a yellow background.
7mins
The Well
The incredible powers of transcendent thinking, explained by a neuroscientist
Finding meaning isn’t just personally fulfilling — it’s critical to our brain’s development, explains USC neuroscientist.
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang
A faint, grayscale image of a classical statue’s face with soft features and minimal details visible against a plain background.
4mins
The Well
The science of the “self”
How do “you” emerge from a collection of cells? A biologist explains.
Michael Levin
Black and white abstract drawing of a bull with geometric shapes and bold outlines, standing on a plain background.
5mins
The Well
Why evolution is the Picasso of science
Evolution doesn’t fix things — it reinvents them. A biologist explains.
Michael Levin
John Templeton Foundation
A close-up of a soap bubble reflecting bright, colorful windowpanes against a dark background.
7mins
The Well
Why belief is the most powerful disruptor
Find food, have sex, not die. That’s pretty much all we need to do — but why do we make it so complicated?
Agustín Fuentes
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