Cognitive Science

A new study reveals that waking mind wandering is just as densely packed with bizarre elements as nighttime dreaming. While dreams feature slowly transforming impossibilities, daydreams are marked by abrupt jumps in logic.

A new study reveals that the long-standing belief connecting mathematical and musical abilities is largely explained by general intelligence. When researchers controlled for cognitive reasoning, the apparent link between being good at math and music practically disappeared.

People are increasingly outsourcing their thinking to artificial intelligence, bypassing critical reflection entirely. New research reveals that this "cognitive surrender" inflates confidence and causes users to blindly adopt algorithm-generated answers, even when the software is wrong.

Do vertical stripes actually make a person look thinner? A new study published in i-Perception provides evidence that horizontal pencil stripes can produce a more slimming effect. Researchers found that specific line spacing and direction alter our visual judgment of...

As children grow, the left and right hemispheres of their brains begin working more independently. A new study reveals that this division of mental labor happens at an accelerated rate in adolescents with superior intelligence scores.

A new study reveals that heavy drinking, smoking, and cannabis use in early adulthood can lead to memory problems decades later. The research highlights how habits formed in youth cast a long shadow over future brain health.

A new study shows that even the smartest high schoolers rely on slow, deliberate thought to solve logic puzzles. Fast and accurate psychological intuition takes years of education to fully develop.

Have you ever struggled to remember the name of someone you just met? A recent study suggests that the natural memorability of a person's face plays a significant role in whether you will actually recall their name.

Can recording a podcast help you ace an exam? Researchers tested if actively producing audio content improved medical students' knowledge of heart defects compared to passive listening, yielding promising but inconclusive results.

A study in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience suggests the brain's reward system drives people to seek information about alternative realities. Scientists found this urge remains strong even when the information leads to negative emotions like regret.

Smarter men tend to display physical signs of good health, like strong grips and broad shoulders. Yet, a recent study shows these men engage in less casual sex, suggesting intelligence steers them toward committed, long-term romantic partnerships.

We all know stress makes us crave junk food. But a new study reveals that making decisions in advance—like removing unhealthy options before you're tempted—can successfully protect your diet on your most stressful days.

Using artificial intelligence to solve math problems might be creating a generation of students with "cognitive debt." New research shows that while unrestricted AI harms independent test scores, carefully designed AI tutors can keep problem-solving skills intact.

An experimental study found that listening to disliked music decreases a person's general desire to eat, but specifically increases their preference for high-sugar foods, likely as a way to cope with the negative mood induced by the audio.

A new paper challenges the traditional idea that the brain is simply a computer. Instead, it argues that human cognition and personality are built on embodied perception, relying on our ability to maintain a "grip" on reality.