Hidden Brain helps curious people understand the world – and themselves. Using science and storytelling, Hidden Brain reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships.
Our audience takes uncommon pleasure in the world of ideas. How do children come to love spicy foods? Why do religions exist? What's the best way to get people to be honest on their taxes? Hidden Brain explores questions like these that lie at the very heart of a complex and changing society.
Hosted by NPR social science correspondent Shankar Vedantam, Hidden Brain links research from psychology and neurobiology with findings from economics, anthropology, and sociology, among other fields. The goal of Hidden Brain isn't merely to entertain, but to give you insights to apply at work, at home and throughout your life.
Find a list of the latest episodes of Hidden Brain below. Learn more about the show here.
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The last place Brad saw his mom before she died was at a diner in New York. A few years later, when he went back to that diner, the bartender asked if he remembered their table, and invited him to go sit there. The post Brad Larsen’s Story appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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We generally think of pain as something to be avoided. But psychologist Paul Bloom says that as much as we're wired to avoid suffering, we also seek it out. This week, we begin a two-part mini series about the curious pleasure we take in certain forms of pain. The post Ouch! That Feels Great appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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In 2019, Darren was about to become a first-time father, and he was terrified. Then a doctor came into the delivery room and said something that completely changed his perspective on parenthood. The post Darren Wayman’s Story appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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Revenge often feels sweet, but what price do we pay for seeking it out? Researcher James Kimmel, Jr. proposes a radical theory: our desire for vengeance operates like an addiction in the brain. This week, how “revenge addiction” plays out in our everyday lives — and on a global scale. The post The Price of Revenge appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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If you are a parent or a teacher, you're constantly wondering: how do I balance play and safety for the kids in my care? You don't want to put children in danger, but you also don't want to rob them of the joy of exploration. This week, we talk with psychologist Peter Gray about how this balance has changed - for parents and children alike - and what we can do about it. The post Parents: Keep Out! appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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When Amy Connor went into pre-term labor with twins, one of her sons needed an emergency blood transfusion. The hospital didn't have any blood that matched the baby's blood type — until an unsung hero stepped up to help. The post Amy Connor’s Story appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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Have you ever encountered someone who clearly knows you, but you have no idea who they are? This week, we feature a classic Hidden Brain episode about people on opposite ends of the facial recognition spectrum. Then, in the second part of the show, we bring you another perspective on facial recognition from the Revisionist […] The post Do I Know You? (A Hidden Brain-Revisionist History Special) appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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In 2016, Tulika was at the grocery store with her seven-year-old son, Vedant, who is non-verbal and autistic. When Vedant began to cry and pull her hair, a stranger helped Tulika in just the right way. The post Tulika Prasad’s Story appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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You probably know someone who thinks they know more about something than they really do. But you could never be described that way . . . could you? This week, cognitive scientist Phil Fernbach explains the “illusion of knowledge” — the fact that we think we understand the world in much greater detail than we actually do. He’ll explore […] The post How Much Do We Really Know? appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.
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Jon told his high school principal, Mr. Barnett, that he planned to drop out of school. But Mr. Barnett implored him to earn his diploma — which set Jon on a path to success. The post Jon Hegwood’s Story appeared first on Hidden Brain Media.