Hidden Brain

Murder Mystery

Why are so many of us drawn to horror, gore, and true crime? Why do we crane our necks to see the scene of a crash on the highway? Psychologist Coltan Scrivner [https://www.coltanscrivner.com/] says that our natural morbid curiosity serves a purpose. We talk with Coltan about our fascination with tales of murder and mayhem, and what this tendency reveals about our minds. In this episode, you'll learn: *Why there's often a surge of interest in scary entertainment after a violent or tragic incident in the real world.  *The potential evolutionary roots of our curiosity about scary events or violent stories. *What researchers have found about the impact of scary movies and books on the people who watch them.  *How horror content can be a vehicle for connecting with other people.  *What we know about the personality traits of people who are drawn to dark and sinister stories.  If you have a question or personal story related to today's episode that you'd be willing to share with the Hidden Brain audience, please record a voice memo on your phone and email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Use the subject line "scary."   Looking for the perfect holiday present for the Hidden Brain fan in your life? We've got you covered. Give your loved one a gift membership to Hidden Brain+ [https://www.patreon.com/HiddenBrain/gift], or visit our online shop [https://www.podswag.com/collections/hidden-brain] for t-shirts, mugs, totes, and more! Here's another idea: grab tickets for one of our upcoming live shows. We'll be in Philadelphia [https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/tickets-and-events/ensemble-arts-philly-presents/hidden-brain-perceptions-tour] on March 21 and New York [https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0300635CCCC30F08] on March 25. Thanks and Happy Holidays! This December, Hidden Brain is proud to join #PodsFightPoverty. We're teaming up with other podcasts to raise funds to lift three villages in Rwanda out of extreme poverty. Your donation goes directly to the families who know best what they need. Visit GiveDirectly.org/HiddenBrain [https://www.givedirectly.org/podsfightpoverty/?ref=hiddenbrain] to make a difference for someone who needs it most.  Episode image by Riswan Ratta [https://unsplash.com/@riswanr_/illustrations] for Unsplash+ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Parents: Keep Out!

If you’re a parent or a teacher, you’ve probably wondered how to balance play and safety for the kids in your 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 revisit a favorite conversation with psychologist Peter Gray [https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/psychology-neuroscience/people/affiliated-and-emeritus/peter-gray.html]. We'll talk about why independent play is so important to a child's development, and answer listeners' questions about the role parents, schools, and neighborhoods can play in giving kids more autonomy.  In this episode, you'll learn:  *The skills that children develop when they play without parental involvement.  *Why American culture has shifted away from independence for children in recent decades.  *The role of independent play in helping children to learn key lessons and thrive developmentally.  *The simple question that parents can ask their kids to create space for more unstructured play.  *How to know what's age-appropriate when it comes to independent play. *How to foster independent play in your neighborhood or community.  *What schools can do to encourage unstructured opportunities for kids.  Episode photo by Aisiri Iyengar [https://unsplash.com/@aisiriiyengar?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/a-couple-of-people-that-are-on-a-slide-4EiiadAHoc8?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Power of Family Stories

There’s a tradition around many Thanksgiving dinner tables that’s as consistent as pumpkin pie: the family stories that get told year after year. Sometimes these stories are funny; sometimes they make us roll our eyes. No matter how we feel about them, we rarely pause to consider how these stories shape who we are and how we view the world. This week, we revisit a favorite 2024 conversation about family storytelling with psychologist Robyn Fivush [https://www.robynfivush.com/]. Then, in a new installment of "Your Questions Answered," Massimo Pigliucci [https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/profiles/massimo-pigliucci?srsltid=AfmBOoreO8DgKhZN3FES6A3y5jZ7O4uX03hmHmnCi_GcF6RjkK2VoRE9] answers listener questions about Stoicism, and why this ancient philosophy continues to resonate today. The Los Angeles stop [https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900629799E03824] on our live tour is almost here! Join Shankar November 22 as he shares seven key psychological insights from the show's first decade. And we're excited to share new dates for 2026. We'll be in Philadelphia on March 21 and New York City on March 25. More info and tickets here: https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/ [https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/] Episode illustration by Anna Kutukova [https://unsplash.com/@pffpics] for Unsplash+  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Following Your Dreams Isn't Enough

Entrepreneurs typically have no shortage of passion, heart, and vision. But at Stanford University, Huggy Rao [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/hayagreeva-rao] says there are other elements that may matter more when it comes to whether their projects succeed or fail. This week, we'll examine how this problem shapes not just individual lives, but organizations and businesses, and even public policy. Then, in the latest installment of "Your Questions Answered,"  sociologist Robb Willer [https://sociology.stanford.edu/people/robb-willer] answers listener questions about how to navigate political differences with the people in your life.  The Los Angeles stop [https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900629799E03824] on our live tour is almost here! Join Shankar November 22 as he shares seven key psychological insights from the show's first decade. And we're excited to share new dates for 2026. We'll be in Philadelphia on March 21 and New York City on March 25. More info and tickets here: https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/ [https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/] Episode art courtesy of Graphicook Studio for Unsplash.com.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How Nature Heals Us

We've known intuitively for centuries that spending time in nature can give us a boost. But it’s only recently that scientists have begun to identify exactly what it is about the outdoors that has such a powerful effect on our mood and our minds. This week, psychologist Marc Berman [https://voices.uchicago.edu/bermanlab/berman/] explores how spending time in nature can actually undo some of the harmful effects of our modern lives. Do you have follow-up questions, comments, or stories about nature's effect on the mind after listening to this episode? If you'd be comfortable sharing your thoughts with the Hidden Brain audience, please record a voice memo on your phone and email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org [ideas@hiddenbrain.org]. Use the subject line nature. Thanks!   Illustration by Swati B on Unsplash+ [https://unsplash.com/illustrations/a-man-with-a-backpack-walking-through-a-jungle-vM1Z7fG0LVo] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.