Inside the Mind

Psychologists who study the human personality often refer to the Big Five personality traits, a model that separates general characteristics into five categories: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and Neuroticism. This psychological model is also known by the acronyms, OCEAN and CANOE.

By Ada Tseng

People talk to their pets every day: offering praise when they're good, reassurance when they're confused and affection when they're cuddling. We also speak to animals when they misbehave. "Why did you do that?" someone might ask their dog. Or we might scold the cat - "Don't touch that!" - as we move a family heirloom across the room.

By Jon Garthoff

You might have seen the TikTok trend and wondered, what is shadow work? Learning how to practice this form of self-reflection can improve your relationships.

By Katherine Millar

A friend may joke that he remembers going through a long, dark tunnel into a blinding white light - and being hit on the bottom by a doctor. But in general, most people don't remember being born or learning to walk. Why is that?

By Laurie L. Dove

For what looks like a big old lump of putty, the human brain is a truly incredible thing. Think of it as the body's mission control center. Find out how much of a brainiac you are with our quiz.

By Alia Hoyt

Could manipulating the human brain's desire for sweet foods lead to new weight control methods and better treatments for eating disorders?

By John Perritano

Wouldn't keeping quiet help us get away from whatever's scaring us? What's the science behind the weird face and raw shout?

By Laurie L. Dove

What's the science behind fainting at the sight of blood? This BrainStuff video takes a look at the brain's internal toggle switch making some people hit the floor.

By Laurie L. Dove

What does it feel like to get a concussion? What are the mental and physical effects of this injury? And how can we best diagnose and treat them in the future?

Christian Sager interviews Dr. Jennifer Watson on how parts of the brain affect why we are the way we are. Learn more about your physiological personality in this interview from HowStuffWorks. Music: Land on the Golden Gate - by: Chris Zabriskie

Intelligence tests are not often accurate measures of intelligence. Learn more about intelligence tests and some of the more inaccurate ones in this video from HowStuffWorks.

Is there any truth to the stereotype of the mad scientist? Turns out there is a link between high IQs and mental illness. Researchers are still not sure why.

By Laurie L. Dove

We've all seen "flame wars" on the Internet. Maybe we've been the victims or the perpetrators, too. But what causes people to say things online that they would never say in person?

By Laurie L. Dove

Who doesn't want to instantly gobble up the marshmallows floating delectably on top of their hot chocolate? As it turns out, giving in to or delaying that impulse can say a lot about you -- and your willpower. Ready to see how strong yours is?

By Robert Lamb

Don't think of emotions as just "feelings." They're also the product of how your brain processes your feelings and how you respond to them.

By Caitlin Uttley

When a well-timed joke or a clever cartoon tickles your funny bone, specific areas of your brain react to spread that mirth throughout your system. Can scientists use this knowledge to create a universal formula for comedy?

By Cristen Conger

The human brain has a great capacity to adapt, rewire and grow. How can you help your noggin reach its ultimate potential?

By Charles W. Bryant

The human brain can do some amazing things -- and humans can do amazing things because of it. Here are 10 of the most wondrous and unusual feats ever performed by a person's brain.

By Josh Clark

Scientists know that the brain's reward center teaches humans that certain behaviors lead to pleasure, but what about those that lead to pain? A clue lies in the fact that pain isn't just a physical sensation, but an emotional and psychological one as well.

By Josh Clark

We hear news of violent acts of all sorts committed by humans every day. But how do we become violent? Is it something we learn, or are people violent at birth? And is there anything that can stop it?

By Jonathan Strickland

Humans can express emotion in a variety of ways, from the written word to spoken communication. But what is it about music and art in particular that has the power to move us?

By Josh Clark

Why do we get mad when we get hit, or get sad when we're disappointed? Are the emotions we feel physical responses to our environments or manifestations of physical changes? There's a lot less debate on the subject than you'd think.

By Josh Clark

The human brain is a mysterious little ball of gray matter, and so is that recurring dream that you're an elf. Have scientists determined why we have dreams?

By Charles W. Bryant

Computers can make calculations faster than the human brain. But thinking and calculating are two different things. Can computers be programmed to think for themselves better and faster than we can?

By Jonathan Strickland

Studies show that women are more sensitive to pain than men, despite their bodies' ability to withstand the agony of childbirth. Does social conditioning help men keep a stiff upper lip when they're hurt? Or do emotions and estrogen factor into this painful equation?

By Cristen Conger