Cognition

Scientific findings uncover what our best friends know, why they do what they do and how to keep them happy

People prone to believing in elaborate cover-ups could just be seeking more meaning in life

An infant’s laughter can reveal not only how babies think but also the serious reasons for this expression of joy 

Research shows that animals interact in amazingly sophisticated ways

The answer may surprise you

Some fish species turn out to be very good problem solvers. At times they even use tools

Expressing humor is a key part of being human

Certain individuals are seriously impaired when it comes to recognizing individuals of another color

Brain imaging can establish a two-way lifeline to some severely brain-damaged patients 

Chickens are smart, and they understand their world, which raises troubling questions about how they are treated on factory farms

Building on a Buddhist principle, psychologists are learning how being kind to yourself can bolster resilience, buffer against stress and improve relationships

Nongenuine chuckles cause a specific cortical region to “light up” more