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The Mind On Stage

Fictional worlds, cognition, and emotion

Education
Children Gesture and Learn with Puppets

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on June 23, 2022

Developmental scientists are debating the role that puppets play in children's learning. Children move with puppets and learn from them just like they do in pretend play.

Developmental scientists are debating the role that puppets play in children's learning. Children move with puppets and learn from them just like they do in pretend play.

Creativity
The Little-c Creative Joy of Wordle

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on February 10, 2022

Do you find yourself waiting for a new Wordle each day? It may be the daily practice of small creative acts that is pulling you in.

Do you find yourself waiting for a new Wordle each day? It may be the daily practice of small creative acts that is pulling you in.

Relationships
Physical and Safe: Pathways to Flourishing in Theatre

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on October 28, 2021

Theatre comes in many different forms, but similarities across contexts, including creating a safe space for and physical practice of emotions, may cause higher well-being.

Theatre comes in many different forms, but similarities across contexts, including creating a safe space for and physical practice of emotions, may cause higher well-being.

Play
Children's Appreciation of Art

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on September 16, 2021

How do we get from child scribbles to art museums? From pretend play to Broadway? From dancing on the playground to American Ballet Theatre?

How do we get from child scribbles to art museums? From pretend play to Broadway? From dancing on the playground to American Ballet Theatre?

Child Development
The Long Tail of Childhood in "The Good Place"

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on February 6, 2020

While "The Good Place" focused on moral philosophy and connections to others as a way to be a better person, a central conceit was that characters' badness came from their parents.

While "The Good Place" focused on moral philosophy and connections to others as a way to be a better person, a central conceit was that characters' badness came from their parents.

Education
The Rise of Arts Research!

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on November 18, 2019

When a group of arts researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and grantmakers come together, the discussion centered on a few key emergent points.

When a group of arts researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and grantmakers come together, the discussion centered on a few key emergent points.

Education
The Arts and Research: Student Reflections

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on November 8, 2019

The first Mason Arts Research Center conference brought together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. Here, students reflect on the day.

The first Mason Arts Research Center conference brought together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. Here, students reflect on the day.

Play
Artistic License and Scientific Truth

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on June 28, 2019

Science is concerned with verifiable truths. But what does an artist owe her audience about the truth of claims made in a word?

Science is concerned with verifiable truths. But what does an artist owe her audience about the truth of claims made in a word?

Play
Where Does Acting Come From?

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on June 4, 2019

How do adult actors get to be adult actors? What are the developmental precursors to skills needed for acting?

How do adult actors get to be adult actors? What are the developmental precursors to skills needed for acting?

Identity
Improv and Self Concept

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on May 16, 2019

Improv theatre may help kids with lower levels of self concept increase their self esteem—and the gains last over time.

Improv theatre may help kids with lower levels of self concept increase their self esteem—and the gains last over time.

Child Playing in Sand
Play
Ingredients for Success

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on October 23, 2018

How can we know what children are gaining from pretend play? Carefully designed interventions are a must.

How can we know what children are gaining from pretend play? Carefully designed interventions are a must.

Play
Drama Games Help Kids Gain Emotional Control

Thalia R. Goldstein Ph.D. on October 6, 2017

Dramatic pretend play games may be causally implicated in young children's emotional control, as found in a recent random control trial.

Dramatic pretend play games may be causally implicated in young children's emotional control, as found in a recent random control trial.