Latest

literature

This shows Scrooge looking out of a window with the ghosts from the story flying around

·December 23, 2022·6 min read

Leaving ‘Bah Humbug’ Behind: A Psychological Phenomenon

Transformative change such as that experienced by Scrooge in A Christmas Carol or The Grinch at the end of their emotional journeys represents the phenomenon of "quantum change".

This shows a drawing of a book with a child and a red umbrella and a dog on it

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 25, 2022·4 min read

Happily Ever After? A New Chapter for Traditional Fairy Tales

While some deem traditional fairy tales to be outdated or sexist, researchers say fairy stories play an important role in teaching young children about social justice, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking skills.

This shows a little girl reading on a pile of books

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 5, 2021·4 min read

Studies of Children’s Stories Shows Differences in Russian and U.S. Approaches to Emotion

Russian children's books focus more heavily on negative human emotions, such as anger, sadness, and fear than books US parents are likely to expose their young children to.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 26, 2020·3 min read

From Voldemort to Vader, science says we prefer fictional villains who remind us of ourselves

Study reports we tend to prefer fictional villains who are darker versions of ourselves.

This is a map of Winterfell in Game of Thrones from the HBO show graphics

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 18, 2019·3 min read

Why language technology can’t handle Game of Thrones (yet)

Researchers improved the performance of natural language processing technology to increase recognitionion of names associated with characters in Game of Thrones, and other literature, from 7% to 90%.

This image shows fMRI brain scans taken from the study.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 11, 2015·3 min read

How the Brain Listens to Literature

Researchers use neuroimaging technology to measure how people immerse themselves in situations and empathize with characters when listening to literature.