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Season 2020
We’ve learned a lot about how the human brain works, but there are still new discoveries and mysteries each year, and 2019 was no exception. We learned pretty big things, from internal
.. show full overview
We’ve learned a lot about how the human brain works, but there are still new discoveries and mysteries each year, and 2019 was no exception. We learned pretty big things, from internal compasses, to mysterious sniffers, to brain-washing (no, not that kind)!
Ever wonder how that guitarist nailed that solo or how your favorite rapper can roll out so many lyrics while making it look easy? Beside lots of practice, your brain has a few tricks.
Ever wonder how that guitarist nailed that solo or how your favorite rapper can roll out so many lyrics while making it look easy? Beside lots of practice, your brain has a few tricks.
ons of people are afraid of sharks, but the reasons have a lot more to do with how our brains deal with risk than anything to do with these super cool sea critters.
Heads up: This video contains footage of sharks.
ons of people are afraid of sharks, but the reasons have a lot more to do with how our brains deal with risk than anything to do with these super cool sea critters.
Heads up: This video contains footage of sharks.
Placebos can alleviate all sorts of symptoms, but there's debate about their usage from an ethical standpoint. Of course, a doctor can't tell a patient they're taking placebos or they won't work anymore... or will they?
Placebos can alleviate all sorts of symptoms, but there's debate about their usage from an ethical standpoint. Of course, a doctor can't tell a patient they're taking placebos or they won't work anymore... or will they?
You might thing that being neat and tidy is the best way to get stuff done, but being messy actually has its perks.
You might thing that being neat and tidy is the best way to get stuff done, but being messy actually has its perks.
Our body is supposed to be paralyzed during REM sleep, but REM sleep behavior disorder might not allow you to stay in bed. It could even cause you to act out your dreams in real life.
Our body is supposed to be paralyzed during REM sleep, but REM sleep behavior disorder might not allow you to stay in bed. It could even cause you to act out your dreams in real life.
For most people, insomnia won't kill you. But in one very rare, very specific case, not only is it deadly, it's lurking in your genes.
For most people, insomnia won't kill you. But in one very rare, very specific case, not only is it deadly, it's lurking in your genes.
2020x8
What We Often Get Wrong About the Brain's "Language Centers"
Episode overview
About 150 years ago, scientists found the two main areas that are responsible for language production and comprehension in the brain. But it turns out they might have over-exaggerated what these parts actually do.
About 150 years ago, scientists found the two main areas that are responsible for language production and comprehension in the brain. But it turns out they might have over-exaggerated what these parts actually do.
For decades, people have used the Rorschach Test to diagnose mental illnesses and determine personality traits, which hasn't always been the best idea. But modern studies suggest that
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For decades, people have used the Rorschach Test to diagnose mental illnesses and determine personality traits, which hasn't always been the best idea. But modern studies suggest that this test actually can tell us some things about the way people see the world.
The sky is blue, but according to whom? Could the rules of our language affect the way we perceive color?
The sky is blue, but according to whom? Could the rules of our language affect the way we perceive color?
We tend to think of physical blindness like a blindfold, but it’s much more complicated than that, and in some instances, people who have lost their vision can still "see" subconsciously.
We tend to think of physical blindness like a blindfold, but it’s much more complicated than that, and in some instances, people who have lost their vision can still "see" subconsciously.
2020x12
Valentine's Day Is Bad for Relationships (and That's a Good Thing)
Episode overview
Scientists have found that Valentine's Day can have a negative impact on relationships and the holiday-related obligation to be lovey-dovey may have something to do with it.
Scientists have found that Valentine's Day can have a negative impact on relationships and the holiday-related obligation to be lovey-dovey may have something to do with it.
Everyone is afraid of something, and traditionally, we’ve thought that fears are learned. But the key to understanding some fears could lie in our DNA.
Everyone is afraid of something, and traditionally, we’ve thought that fears are learned. But the key to understanding some fears could lie in our DNA.
Even with rapid action, strokes can lead to lasting brain damage. So researchers are developing new techniques like freezing brains to buy time and using using parts of pork bladders to regrow brain tissue.
Even with rapid action, strokes can lead to lasting brain damage. So researchers are developing new techniques like freezing brains to buy time and using using parts of pork bladders to regrow brain tissue.
We're surrounded by choices in life, but psychologists have found that having those choices doesn't necessarily make us happy.
We're surrounded by choices in life, but psychologists have found that having those choices doesn't necessarily make us happy.
The world is full of colors. Almost all of them can be described by a wavelength of visible light, but there are some colors out there that are just in your head!
The world is full of colors. Almost all of them can be described by a wavelength of visible light, but there are some colors out there that are just in your head!
Everyone has dreams, but some people are better at remembering them than others. Scientists aren't sure why we dream, but remembering them has a lot to do with the activity in your brain, and with how well you sleep.
Everyone has dreams, but some people are better at remembering them than others. Scientists aren't sure why we dream, but remembering them has a lot to do with the activity in your brain, and with how well you sleep.
If you're old enough to drink, you may have had a few too many cocktails and suddenly everything is spinning. Strange as it might seem, that’s not because the alcohol you drank is messing with your brain! So what causes the spins?
If you're old enough to drink, you may have had a few too many cocktails and suddenly everything is spinning. Strange as it might seem, that’s not because the alcohol you drank is messing with your brain! So what causes the spins?
Hindsight bias skews our interpretation of events and information, making it seem like they were predictable or just not that surprising. This bias can cause some real problems, but the
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Hindsight bias skews our interpretation of events and information, making it seem like they were predictable or just not that surprising. This bias can cause some real problems, but the good news is, once you are aware of it, there are some things you can do to reduce its effects.
The Brodie helmet, widely used during the first World War, had some serious design flaws, . But thanks to those flaws we now have a staggeringly accurate map of the brain.
The Brodie helmet, widely used during the first World War, had some serious design flaws, . But thanks to those flaws we now have a staggeringly accurate map of the brain.
A memory isn’t stored in your brain in a neat little package, but is instead spread across a pattern of cells in different regions. What's more, understanding this process could open the
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A memory isn’t stored in your brain in a neat little package, but is instead spread across a pattern of cells in different regions. What's more, understanding this process could open the door to better treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s or PTSD.
2020x22
How You Affect Other People’s Brain Waves - Inter-Brain Connections
Episode overview
Scientists know that things like people’s heart rates, breathing, and even footfalls tend to line up when they’re doing things together, but we're learning that even the electrical activity in your brain can sync up too!
Scientists know that things like people’s heart rates, breathing, and even footfalls tend to line up when they’re doing things together, but we're learning that even the electrical activity in your brain can sync up too!
Losing half of the world sounds like a weird, abstract dream state. But for those that develop hemispatial neglect, that’s exactly what happens, without them even realizing it.
Losing half of the world sounds like a weird, abstract dream state. But for those that develop hemispatial neglect, that’s exactly what happens, without them even realizing it.
Schizophrenia affects 20 million people worldwide, and we don’t exactly know how it develops, or what causes it yet. However, some research has found that it might be an autoimmune condition.
Schizophrenia affects 20 million people worldwide, and we don’t exactly know how it develops, or what causes it yet. However, some research has found that it might be an autoimmune condition.
Regular brushing and flossing might not just keep your mouth in good shape—they might also be good for your brain.
Regular brushing and flossing might not just keep your mouth in good shape—they might also be good for your brain.
Raising children is not easy, and parents can get burnt out just like anyone else. But research shows that parental burnout seems to be unique compare to other kinds of burnouts.
Raising children is not easy, and parents can get burnt out just like anyone else. But research shows that parental burnout seems to be unique compare to other kinds of burnouts.
2020x27
What Social Distancing Actually Is & What it Means for Mental Health
Episode overview
Social distancing is a time-honored, low-tech tool for slowing the spread of contagious pathogens. But it can also take a toll psychologically. Luckily, there are ways to mitigate these
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Social distancing is a time-honored, low-tech tool for slowing the spread of contagious pathogens. But it can also take a toll psychologically. Luckily, there are ways to mitigate these harms, so you can protect yourself and your community from disease while also protecting your mental health.
Grief is a universal human experience. In the 1800s families around the world took pictures of their loved one’s bodies to cope with their loss, and today, researchers have found
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Grief is a universal human experience. In the 1800s families around the world took pictures of their loved one’s bodies to cope with their loss, and today, researchers have found evidence that this unique method really does help people through the grieving process.
People with ADHD often have problems getting to sleep, but is it the ADHD symptoms that causes the lack of sleep or lack of sleep that cause ADHD symptoms?
People with ADHD often have problems getting to sleep, but is it the ADHD symptoms that causes the lack of sleep or lack of sleep that cause ADHD symptoms?
2020x30
Equine Therapy: Why Horses Might Make Great Therapy Animals
Episode overview
Psychologists have been using animals in therapy for a long time, but cats and dogs aren’t the only options. Hippotherapy, also known as equine therapy, uses horses in therapies for everything from cerebral palsy to PTSD.
Psychologists have been using animals in therapy for a long time, but cats and dogs aren’t the only options. Hippotherapy, also known as equine therapy, uses horses in therapies for everything from cerebral palsy to PTSD.
Scientists often use the phrase “anatomically modern humans” to describe the point when our ancient ancestors looked like us. But when did humans become behaviorally modern?
Scientists often use the phrase “anatomically modern humans” to describe the point when our ancient ancestors looked like us. But when did humans become behaviorally modern?
Brains are mysterious! Living brains are particularly tough to study, but sometimes scientists can use techniques from other disciplines to get a clearer picture. Here are some ways
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Brains are mysterious! Living brains are particularly tough to study, but sometimes scientists can use techniques from other disciplines to get a clearer picture. Here are some ways scientists are adapting tools developed for looking at stars and atoms to unlock the secrets of living brains.
For millions of people with Parkinson’s disease, movement becomes much harder. But researchers have found that dance therapy may help them both physically and mentally.
For millions of people with Parkinson’s disease, movement becomes much harder. But researchers have found that dance therapy may help them both physically and mentally.
2020x34
Why the Pandemic Has Us Buying Roller Skates and Baking Bread
Episode overview
A lot of people have been pretty cooped up lately and it’s starting to bring out some strange desires in people. What context can psychology offer to help us understand what might be going on?
A lot of people have been pretty cooped up lately and it’s starting to bring out some strange desires in people. What context can psychology offer to help us understand what might be going on?
2020x35
Borderline Personality Disorder: Sorting Fact From Fiction
Episode overview
There are so many persistent myths about Borderline Personality Disorder. But, the reality of being quote “borderline” is much more nuanced — and hopeful.
There are so many persistent myths about Borderline Personality Disorder. But, the reality of being quote “borderline” is much more nuanced — and hopeful.
Vivid dreams have gotten pretty common during the Covid-19 pandemic and there’s a good psychological reason for that.
Vivid dreams have gotten pretty common during the Covid-19 pandemic and there’s a good psychological reason for that.
Our mood is influenced in many ways by our environment, and researchers have discovered a possible connection between the pollen in our air and a rise in suicide.
Our mood is influenced in many ways by our environment, and researchers have discovered a possible connection between the pollen in our air and a rise in suicide.
2020x38
Animal Personalities Are More Like Ours Than You Might Think
Episode overview
If you’ve ever been around animals, you know they can have different personalities, but there’s one trait that scientists used to believe was uniquely human.
If you’ve ever been around animals, you know they can have different personalities, but there’s one trait that scientists used to believe was uniquely human.
We all have some displeasing memories from the past that still make our blood boil. Why are those grudges so hard to let go of?
We all have some displeasing memories from the past that still make our blood boil. Why are those grudges so hard to let go of?
When you imagine a walrus, you probably picture it way smaller than it actually is. It’s because our brains meddle with our senses in more ways than you might expect.
When you imagine a walrus, you probably picture it way smaller than it actually is. It’s because our brains meddle with our senses in more ways than you might expect.
No matter how full you are, it seems you can find room for dessert. It’s not your imagination, and once you understand why, you’ll see how you can use this weird quirk of your appetite to your advantage!
No matter how full you are, it seems you can find room for dessert. It’s not your imagination, and once you understand why, you’ll see how you can use this weird quirk of your appetite to your advantage!
You may feel a bit grumpy when you're hungry, but hunger can affect us in more powerful ways than we realize.
You may feel a bit grumpy when you're hungry, but hunger can affect us in more powerful ways than we realize.
Some words just SOUND like the thing they refer to. But are these associations come from the specific culture we were raised in, or is there something more fundamental going on here?
Some words just SOUND like the thing they refer to. But are these associations come from the specific culture we were raised in, or is there something more fundamental going on here?
Scientists have found a way to hack the visual process and generate shapes directly on the brain, so a person can see them without using their eyes.
Scientists have found a way to hack the visual process and generate shapes directly on the brain, so a person can see them without using their eyes.
There are some persistent myths about human psychology that appear on TV all the time. But people are complicated, and a lot of times, what we (and these shows) take to be true about human nature… may not be as accurate as we think.
There are some persistent myths about human psychology that appear on TV all the time. But people are complicated, and a lot of times, what we (and these shows) take to be true about human nature… may not be as accurate as we think.
2020x46
What Whistled Speech Tells Us About How the Brain Interprets Language
Episode overview
You can find groups of people from all over the world who communicate full conversation by whistling. And neuroscientists found how our brain works with whistled language is mind-blowing.
You can find groups of people from all over the world who communicate full conversation by whistling. And neuroscientists found how our brain works with whistled language is mind-blowing.
You might think of robots as unfeeling, and maybe even kind of cold, but some robots are specifically programmed to help people improve their social skills and emotional health. Here are a few that might make really good pals!
You might think of robots as unfeeling, and maybe even kind of cold, but some robots are specifically programmed to help people improve their social skills and emotional health. Here are a few that might make really good pals!
Sometimes we find ourselves falling for the cute vampire or German bank robber, and this might say a lot about how we think about ourselves.
Sometimes we find ourselves falling for the cute vampire or German bank robber, and this might say a lot about how we think about ourselves.
Quantum mechanics may not seem like it has anything to do with human psychology, but some psychologists are starting to borrow concepts from the field to help make human behavior more predictable.
Quantum mechanics may not seem like it has anything to do with human psychology, but some psychologists are starting to borrow concepts from the field to help make human behavior more predictable.
If you feel like you’ve been more forgetful than normal recently, you’re definitely not alone. Your memory can have a lot to do with what's happening around you.
If you feel like you’ve been more forgetful than normal recently, you’re definitely not alone. Your memory can have a lot to do with what's happening around you.
A fortuneteller's ability to read your future might seem magical, but those “psychic powers” have way more to do with psychology than the supernatural.
A fortuneteller's ability to read your future might seem magical, but those “psychic powers” have way more to do with psychology than the supernatural.
Unexpectedly losing a job is hard, but it can also change you in the long term, setting off a cycle that may be hard to break out of, and leaving lasting effects on the way you see and interact with the world.
Unexpectedly losing a job is hard, but it can also change you in the long term, setting off a cycle that may be hard to break out of, and leaving lasting effects on the way you see and interact with the world.
Some people don’t have or use visual imagination, or the “mind’s eye.” Many with this condition, called aphantasia, might not even realize that they’re experiencing the world
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Some people don’t have or use visual imagination, or the “mind’s eye.” Many with this condition, called aphantasia, might not even realize that they’re experiencing the world differently, but this difference offers a new window into how the brain processes imagination, emotion, and even memory.
It’s an election year, which means you’ve probably been bombarded with polls asking you questions about candidates and issues. But is information the only thing pollsters are after?
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It’s an election year, which means you’ve probably been bombarded with polls asking you questions about candidates and issues. But is information the only thing pollsters are after? Questions are often more than just questions. They can sometimes have a profound effect on our behavior and decisions, even if we don’t realize it.
2020x55
Identity Politics: How All Your Identities Sway Your Vote
Episode overview
People throw out the term "identity politics" as a way to say that someone is wrong, but the truth is, it's something that affects the way all of us vote.
People throw out the term "identity politics" as a way to say that someone is wrong, but the truth is, it's something that affects the way all of us vote.
Emerging research suggests that paintings might be more than just pretty pictures: how we process what we see in paintings might also impact the way we process the world around us.
Emerging research suggests that paintings might be more than just pretty pictures: how we process what we see in paintings might also impact the way we process the world around us.
If you've ever played with a ouija board, you might have gotten the spooky sensation of an other worldly presence. But really, that's just your brain playing tricks on you.
If you've ever played with a ouija board, you might have gotten the spooky sensation of an other worldly presence. But really, that's just your brain playing tricks on you.
2020x58
How Fake Internet Accounts Divide Us and How to Stop Yourself From Falling for Them
Episode overview
The people behind fake posts can rely on a few tricks to get you on board. But there are ways to spot them, and ways to avoid falling for what they have to say.
The people behind fake posts can rely on a few tricks to get you on board. But there are ways to spot them, and ways to avoid falling for what they have to say.
2020x59
Why It's So Hard to Admit You're Wrong | Cognitive Dissonance
Episode overview
Sometimes our behavior and our beliefs just… don’t match. And a lot of times this mismatch can lead to stress. What’s happening in our brains when we’re inconsistent? Can we learn anything from this discomfort?
Sometimes our behavior and our beliefs just… don’t match. And a lot of times this mismatch can lead to stress. What’s happening in our brains when we’re inconsistent? Can we learn anything from this discomfort?
2020x60
Why Are Some U.S. Cities Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis?
Episode overview
In addition to being a serious social issue, racism is also a serious challenge to public health. In fact, over the last year and a half, dozens of cities have declared racism a public
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In addition to being a serious social issue, racism is also a serious challenge to public health. In fact, over the last year and a half, dozens of cities have declared racism a public health crisis - and today, we here at SciShow will talk through what that means and the science that supports it.
Magicians have a handy ace up their sleeve: Your brain, and they're not the only ones who know how to use it.
Magicians have a handy ace up their sleeve: Your brain, and they're not the only ones who know how to use it.
2020x62
Why You Shouldn't Always Trust Your Gut | The First Instinct Fallacy
Episode overview
You've probably been told at some point or another to "trust your gut", but is that actually good advice?
You've probably been told at some point or another to "trust your gut", but is that actually good advice?
We’re all super familiar with the feeling we get when we smell rotten food or see gross bodily fluids. But this visceral emotion does a lot more than that, and it’s important understand to how the darker side of disgust can influence us.
We’re all super familiar with the feeling we get when we smell rotten food or see gross bodily fluids. But this visceral emotion does a lot more than that, and it’s important understand to how the darker side of disgust can influence us.
You might expect to find these fish at the core of an ancient, distant asteroid, but we find them instead on Earth. That doesn’t mean they aren’t special, though. In fact, their immune
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You might expect to find these fish at the core of an ancient, distant asteroid, but we find them instead on Earth. That doesn’t mean they aren’t special, though. In fact, their immune systems may be the key to unlocking a new treatment for a human brain disease.
2020x65
Season finale
5 Psychology Videos to Prep for Next Semester | Compilation
Episode overview
This episode has no summary.
This episode has no summary.
The idea that humans react to disasters by losing control and acting selfishly is all too prevalent, especially in movies and television. But recent studies on altruism may provide
.. show full overview
The idea that humans react to disasters by losing control and acting selfishly is all too prevalent, especially in movies and television. But recent studies on altruism may provide evidence that this isn’t always the case, and this information could help us to better respond to such disasters.
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