Cognition

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

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

Conventional wisdom holds that the ability to recognize faces requires a complex mammalian brain. But some insects are quite adept at this task

The answer may surprise you

Kids adopted in a new country have an advantage in learning their native tongue as adults, even if they have not heard it since birth

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