evolutionary neuroscience Archives

Octopuses Given Ecstasy Reveal Genetic Link to Evolution of Social Behaviors in Humans

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 20, 2018

Testing the behavioral reaction to MDMA in octopuses, researchers report they have discovered evidence of an evolutionary link between the sea creatures and humans.... Read More...

FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles6 min read

stick figure cartoons of people being active and lazy

Are We Hardwired For Laziness? Brain Must Work Hard to Avoid Sloth

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 18, 2018

Researchers explore the exercise paradox, the feeling of wanting to become more physically active, but despite our best intentions, people actually become less active. The study reports our brains may simply be wired to want to conserve energy.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscience5 min read

Are We Predisposed to Forgive?

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 17, 2018

A new study reports our cognitive flexibility in judging those who wrong us may shed light on both the human tendency to forgive, and explain why people hold on to those who continue to wrong them.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology4 min read

Aging May Be As Old As Life Itself

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 12, 2018

Researchers report that, at the molecular levels, aging may have originated at the beginning of the evolution of life. They suggest when it comes to genes, aging may not always be a negative trait, and may help an organism to survive.... Read More...

FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience4 min read

The Universality of Shame

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 11, 2018

Researchers hypothesize shame may have been built into human nature by evolution because it served an important function for our foraging ancestors. The study reports an implicit mental map of how negatively others will perceive a person sets the level of shame they feel for their potential action.... Read More...

FeaturedPsychology11 min read

Humans Might Not Be Altruistic ‘Avengers’ After All

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 11, 2018

Contrary to popular belief, researchers report most people do not interfere when they witness someone abusing a stranger.... Read More...

FeaturedPsychology8 min read

Toddlers Prefer Winners, But Avoid Those Who Win by Force

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 8, 2018

By the age of 18 months, toddlers prefer individuals others yield to, researchers say. The study suggests this preference may be rooted deep in human nature and may have evolved because being close to those in power provides people with better access to resources, territory and mates.... Read More...

FeaturedPsychology6 min read

Lonely People Stand Farther From Loved Ones

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 8, 2018

Researchers theorize social 'survival mode' triggers the preference for greater personal space in lonely people.... Read More...

FeaturedOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology5 min read

The Evolution of Psychiatric Disorders and Personality Traits

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 7, 2018

Researchers have identified a gene that has evolved through natural selection and is implicated in psychiatric disorders and personality traits. The study suggests natural selection has helped shaped our psychiatric traits and helped to maintain human diversity.... Read More...

FeaturedGeneticsOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology4 min read

Learning to Lie Has Cognitive Benefits

Neuroscience NewsAugust 31, 2018

A new study reports there are cognitive benefits for children who learn to lie early in life. Researchers say children who learn to lie early have more self control, better executive function and improved theory of mind.... Read More...

FeaturedPsychology5 min read

Ant-y Social: Ant Study Reveals Evolutionary Benefits of Group Living

Neuroscience NewsAugust 23, 2018

A new study of ant populations reveals group living confers immediate benefits, even among genetically identical individuals. The study revealed larger groups produced more offspring and greater stability than smaller groups. The study may shed new light on the evolution of social behavior.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscience5 min read

Core Thinking Error Underlies Belief in Creationism and Conspiracy Theories

Neuroscience NewsAugust 21, 2018

Researchers report teleological thinking, a single and powerful cognitive bias which entails the perception of final causes or an overriding purpose in natural events, is linked to two seemingly unconnected beliefs; conspiracy theories and creationism.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology6 min read

News

Premature Brains Develop Differently in Boys and Girls

Neuroscience

Premature Brains Develop Differently in Boys and Girls

Neurology

Zombie Cells Found in Mouse Brains Prior To Cognitive Loss

Cannabinoid Medications Make Pain Feel Less Unpleasant and More Tolerable

Brain’s Lymphatic Vessels May Be New Treatment Avenue for Multiple Sclerosis

AI

How the Brain Combines Memories to Solve Problems

Computer Avatars Play a Part in Dementia Detection

What Time is it in Your Body?

Robotics

Researchers 3D Print Prototype for a ‘Bionic Eye’

Improvement if Humanlike Conversations in Humanoid Robots

Psychology

Confronting ‘Yucky’ Attitudes About Genetically Engineered Foods

evolutionary neuroscience

Are We Hardwired For Laziness? Brain Must Work Hard to Avoid Sloth

Aging May Be As Old As Life Itself

The Evolution of Psychiatric Disorders and Personality Traits

Core Thinking Error Underlies Belief in Creationism and Conspiracy Theories