Brain Candy

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi says we can achieve one of the most elusive needs — self-actualization — by finding a state of "flow" in our work or our hobbies.

People who took acetaminophen responded less strongly to happy or sad photos in a small study. It's one of several studies suggesting that there's an overlap with pain and other feelings.

A little MRI video seems to settle the decades-old debate about that loud pop of the joints: It's all about bubbles. But imagine an air bag inflating, not the bursting of a balloon.

Psychologist Paul Bloom explains why prejudice is natural, rational and even moral — the key is to understand why we depend on it, and recognize when it leads us astray.

Artist Hetain Patel toys with race, identity, language and accent — and challenges us to think beyond surface appearances.

Iranian-American comedian and actor Maz Jobrani describes a comic's role in challenging stereotypes — especially when it comes to Middle Eastern Muslims in America.

Playwright and performer Sarah Jones has a chameleon-like ability to change personas. Through these personas, she explores the fine line between stereotyping and celebrating different ethnic groups.

Margaret Heffernan talks about the danger of "willful blindness" and praises ordinary people who are willing to speak up.

Psychologist Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, examines why we aren't more compassionate more of the time.