The Neuroscience of Emotion and Decisionmaking

Psychiatry

What Is Computational Psychiatry?

Ryan Smith Ph.D. on March 1, 2024

Is the brain like a computer? In some ways it is, and studying how the brain performs computations could help us identify new causes of mental illness.

Is the brain like a computer? In some ways it is, and studying how the brain performs computations could help us identify new causes of mental illness.

Psychopathy

Do Psychopaths Really Understand Emotions?

Ryan Smith Ph.D. on January 13, 2023

Do psychopaths not know when someone is suffering? Or do they just not care?

Do psychopaths not know when someone is suffering? Or do they just not care?

Cognition

Do Emotions Help or Hinder Rational Thinking?

Ryan Smith Ph.D. on August 13, 2022

Does ignoring emotions make you more rational? A new study suggests this might make your decisions less rational instead.

Does ignoring emotions make you more rational? A new study suggests this might make your decisions less rational instead.

Empathy

Why Some People Keep Using Drugs, Even Knowing That It Ruins Their Lives

Ryan Smith Ph.D. on July 27, 2022

New research has found that there may be important differences in how individuals with substance use disorders learn from negative outcomes.

New research has found that there may be important differences in how individuals with substance use disorders learn from negative outcomes.

Anxiety

How Anxiety and Depression May Interfere With Decision-Making

Ryan Smith Ph.D. on June 28, 2022

A new study finds that depression and anxiety are associated with less information-seeking and less reflective thinking.

A new study finds that depression and anxiety are associated with less information-seeking and less reflective thinking.