Negative stress is bad for us. But the science suggests that when reframed, the stress response actually helps us perform better. Learn about the science of cognitive reappraisal, featuring Professor Katie McLaughlin.

4:09

A common expression tells us that “seeing is believing”. But sometimes there are illusions at work, whether we’re looking at checkerboards, human faces, or resumes. Luckily, there are ways we can debunk them.

04:18

We have more information at our fingertips than ever before, but this doesn’t mean we’re making better decisions. Why? One culprit: the confirmation bias.

06:16

When it comes to food, presentation and taste are connected: the eyes eat first. The science suggests we apply a similar idea to people: attractive people are seen as smarter, kinder, more moral, and so on. It’s called the attractiveness halo.

05:33

An analysis of over 200 cases in Florida found that judges showed no racial bias in their sentencing decisions. Yet, the same analysis revealed that race was still influencing their decisions.

What’s more likely: death by shark attack, or death by lightning strike? The science suggests you’ll choose “shark attack”… but that’s not the right answer. So why do so many of us agree?

05:36

Expectations can be powerful. Even if they're never said out loud, the beliefs we carry in our minds can become self-fulfilling prophecies.

2:00

In a groundbreaking study, sociologist Devah Pager showed that being Black hurts an applicant's chances of being hired just as much as a felony conviction. What do decisions based on gut instincts mean for the survival of a business?

08:56

Data collected between 1970-2002 suggest that traditional mandatory trainings don’t work, and can even backfire. How do we create education that works?

The science suggests that we evaluate men’s and women’s work differently… regardless of our own gender. Why? And what can we do about it?

Most of us believe we can control what pieces of information influence our decisions. But when it comes down to it, can we? The Stroop Test suggests: No. Try it for yourself.

05:05

Voices are more than just sounds. They’re auditory faces that can give clues to who we are. But are these always accurate? How might accents skew our decision-making?

10:57

We like to think we use objective criteria to make our decisions. But what happens when we choose the person first, and then choose the standard that supports our decision?

10:40

Sometimes it makes sense to shift our standards based on context. But are we raising and lowering the bar when we shouldn’t?

09:46

In Part 2, we explore the story of a small group of scientists, the test they developed to reveal implicit process of the mind, and how they harnessed the birth of the internet to share it with the world.

11:53

40 years ago, researchers found that patients with amnesia could form new memories… implicitly. This sparked an ongoing revolution in research on the hidden mind.

11:22

We work out, then pig out. We donate to charity, then indulge in retail therapy. Does this also happen with our good deeds? How can we avoid bringing moral scorecards to the workplace?

07:18

Humans help each other all the time. So what’s wrong with helping?

01:53

We overvalue the things we own. This is fine when it’s a family keepsake or memento – but how does this influence the decisions we make about homes, investments, and more?

07:10

You perform well at work one day, but not the next. One person sees you as “warm”; another as “cold”. Maybe it’s you – but there’s another possibility: that others’ expectations are shaping your behavior.

07:28

Expectations help us quickly navigate our world. Yet they can also blind us to the simple solutions, talent, and opportunities that are right in front of us. How?

08:09

Our faces broadcast information about us: whether we’re smart, warm, trustworthy, and more. How do these signals influence decision-making – and are they accurate?

05:30