Cognitive Science

The latest breakthroughs, innovations, and cool happenings at the cutting edge of the world of cognitive science. Updated daily.

Unlocking the Secrets of Counterintuitive Concepts

Have you ever wondered why supernatural concepts are so memorable across different cultures? It turns out that these concepts share a common structure that goes against our intuitive understanding of the world. This phenomenon, known as the minimally counterintuitive (MCI) thesis, suggests that violations of intuitive assumptions actually make supernatural concepts more memorable than intuitive […]

Published on April 25, 2023

Tracking the Evolution of Nicaraguan Sign Language Through Motion Capture

Imagine witnessing the birth and growth of a brand new language, like a little seedling sprouting into a magnificent tree! Well, that’s exactly what scientists did with Nicaraguan Sign Language. They used fancy-schmancy motion tracking technology to track the signing of the oldest and youngest signers in the language. And guess what they found? The […]

Published on April 25, 2023

Predicting Perception of Dancing Dyads: The Language of Movement

Imagine a dance floor, where two people move in perfect sync. Their bodies mirror each other, creating a mesmerizing display of coordination. But what factors contribute to our perception of their coupling? Researchers investigated this question by studying the relationship between visual perception and body movements in dancing dyads. They found that the degree of […]

Published on April 25, 2023