Revenge often feels sweet, but what price do we pay for seeking it out? Researcher James Kimmel, Jr. proposes a radical theory: our desire for vengeance operates like an addiction in the brain. This week, how “revenge addiction” plays out in our everyday lives — and on a global scale.
The Price of Revenge Read More »
Have you ever encountered someone who clearly knows you, but you have no idea who they are? This week, we feature a classic Hidden Brain episode about people on opposite ends of the facial recognition spectrum. Then, in the second part of the show, we bring you another perspective on facial recognition from the Revisionist
Do I Know You? (A Hidden Brain-Revisionist History Special) Read More »
Forgetting something — whether it’s a colleague’s name or where we put our keys — can be deeply frustrating. This week, psychologist Ciara Greene helps us explore the science of forgetting. We look at why our minds hold on to some memories for a lifetime, but discard others within seconds. And we grapple with a question many people ask themselves: Is my forgetfulness a sign that something is wrong with me?
When we head into a negotiation, our focus is usually on getting the other person to agree to our preferred outcome. What we don’t focus on are our own biases and blind spots.
Relationships 2.0: Become a Better Negotiator Read More »
Often in life, we find ourselves wrestling with a decision. But in running these mental calculations, there’s something we rarely consider about the future: we might not be the same person when we get there. This week, philosopher Laurie Paul explores how life-altering events reshape who we are, and offers psychological tools for bouncing back.
The Moments that Change Us Read More »
When should you stay the course in life, and when should you shift with changing tides?
Have you ever downplayed some aspect of your identity? This week, we talk with legal scholar Kenji Yoshino about what happens when we pretend to be someone other than our true selves.
What would you have done? It’s one of the most enduring questions in psychology. We all like to think that in a moment of crisis, we’d rise to the occasion and show courage. And yet many of us have had experiences where we followed orders and did what we were told to do.
Marching to Your Own Drummer Read More »
We talk with Alison Wood Brooks about what makes difficult conversations difficult, and a series of psychological techniques to help you navigate them.
The Conversations that Bring Us Closer Read More »
Just because we’ve been doing something for a long time doesn’t mean we’re doing it right. This may be particularly true when it comes to our skills as conversationalists. This week, we bring you the first of a two-part look at what makes someone skilled at talking with others.
