Logic needs meaning, but there’s a catch (proof from apes)
I explore how humans need context and meaning for logical thinking. But I also show how seeking too much meaning can lead to thinking errors …
How Metaphors and Analogies reveal the Truth about our Universe
Some people say the mind is a universe in itself. Others have argued that the mind is the software and the brain is the hardware. …
Why We Justify Big Events With Big Causes: Balancing causes with effects is an error
When something big happens, did something big cause it? Did the cause of a pandemic have to be a big event? Was a typo in …
How to Improvise & Create on the fly like MacGyver
Have you watched TV shows where geniuses quickly hack their way to build a prototype of a fancy piece of machinery from scrap? Or combine …
Kids reason that Caged Animals are Owned but Free ones aren’t
Summary: A new study argues that children reason if an animal is owned or not based on how much control the owner has on the …
Cognition 101: Executive functions, Cognitive processes & abilities
What is cognition? Cognition refers to all mental processes that lead to thoughts, knowledge, and awareness. The underlying mechanisms are called cognitive processes. They govern …
Do Universal Words Exist? From evolution to cognates & iconicity
With a loose definition of the word universal, a number of words from many languages are almost universally understood. We learn many words across multiple …
Creative Cognition: The Construal Level Theory & Psychological Distance (w/ deliberate creative thinking strategies)
Our brain is conducive to creative thinking and problem-solving – Literally, and figuratively, making mental connections. The brain is readily equipped with the necessary conditions …