Remembering the Past and Imagining the Future

Media

Why Movies Make You Root for the Psychopath

Anna-Lisa Cohen Ph.D. on April 22, 2024

You may think watching movies is purely for entertainment, but research shows that identifying with story characters, even villains, allows us to exercise our empathy.

You may think watching movies is purely for entertainment, but research shows that identifying with story characters, even villains, allows us to exercise our empathy.

Cognition

Zoning Out Is Your Brain’s Superpower

Anna-Lisa Cohen Ph.D. on December 27, 2023

Although you may have been scolded for daydreaming or zoning out, science shows that mind wandering makes us more creative and cognitively flexible.

Although you may have been scolded for daydreaming or zoning out, science shows that mind wandering makes us more creative and cognitively flexible.

Imagination

Mental Imagery: Going to the Movies in Your Head

Anna-Lisa Cohen Ph.D. on September 25, 2023

When someone is under a lot of pressure, the popular advice is to "be present" and "live in the moment," but perhaps there are advantages to doing the opposite.

When someone is under a lot of pressure, the popular advice is to "be present" and "live in the moment," but perhaps there are advantages to doing the opposite.