We're Only Human Wray Herbert

Many of us repeat positive statements, such as "I am a lovable person," to boost our confidence and morale. But do these self-affirmations really work?

Laboratory research has shown that indulging in a single bite of forbidden food can lead a dieter astray. But a recent study suggests that, in a real-life setting, one bite is actually just a temporary detour.

We've all seen pictures of Hurricane Katrina survivors waiting on rooftops and rowing through the flooded streets of New Orleans. These striking images raise the question, "Why did these residents stay behind?"

In the classroom, children are taught basic arithmetic by counting on their fingers. While this simple gesture may seem rudimentary, new research suggests gestures of any sort may actually enhance learning.

Close your eyes and imagine you are standing in a field of flowers. What do you notice? The wispy clouds, the subtle brushing of the grass, the stream in the distance. Or, like our ancestors, are you focused on your next meal or the quickest escape route? It's remarkable how fast the mind sees what it needs to see.

A third of us report having had a deja vu experience. Today there is scientific consensus that deja vu is nothing more than a false memory experience. But why does it occur? New insights into the mechanics of memory and cognition are helping to answer that question.