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Illusions, Delusions, and Reality

How the brain makes sense of a noisy world

Memory
How Earworms Reveal Our Hidden Musical Memory Skills

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on September 26, 2024

The musical earworms you experience throughout your day reveal a hidden memory skill. New research on earworms shows accurate recall of song pitches without conscious effort.

The musical earworms you experience throughout your day reveal a hidden memory skill. New research on earworms shows accurate recall of song pitches without conscious effort.

Attention
Adapting to Motion With and Without Attention

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on August 30, 2024

Motion aftereffects have been known since the time of Aristotle. New research sheds light on the role of attention in modulating the motion aftereffect.

Motion aftereffects have been known since the time of Aristotle. New research sheds light on the role of attention in modulating the motion aftereffect.

Imagination
Can Your Imagination Be Measured?

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on July 25, 2024

Most research on mental imagery relies on self-report measures. A new study presents a novel way of measuring the vividness of mental imagery by using an priming-adaptation task.

Most research on mental imagery relies on self-report measures. A new study presents a novel way of measuring the vividness of mental imagery by using an priming-adaptation task.

Attention
The Necessity of Multitasking

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on March 28, 2024

Decades of research have pointed out the costs associated with multitasking. But in many daily contexts, multitasking may be the most efficient thing to do.

Decades of research have pointed out the costs associated with multitasking. But in many daily contexts, multitasking may be the most efficient thing to do.

Cognition
How We Perceive Falling and Rising Objects

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on February 26, 2024

A new study investigated whether the perceived acceleration of an object is influenced by its direction. Findings showed a bias in the perceived acceleration of falling objects.

A new study investigated whether the perceived acceleration of an object is influenced by its direction. Findings showed a bias in the perceived acceleration of falling objects.

Memory
Can We Learn to Draw Faces From Memory?

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on December 26, 2023

People find it extremly difficult to draw faces from memory. A new study asked whether using simplified line drawings of faces can improve the accuracy of drawing from memory.

People find it extremly difficult to draw faces from memory. A new study asked whether using simplified line drawings of faces can improve the accuracy of drawing from memory.

Bias
A Bias for the Tops of Objects and Bottoms of Scenes

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on November 28, 2023

A new study shows that we have specific biases to attend to the top parts of objects and the bottom parts of scenes. This bias is also present in children.

A new study shows that we have specific biases to attend to the top parts of objects and the bottom parts of scenes. This bias is also present in children.

Chronic Pain
Can Music Reduce Pain?

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on October 29, 2023

Music is often described as medicine for the soul. New research confirms that listening to your favorite tunes can significantly reduce acute pain.

Music is often described as medicine for the soul. New research confirms that listening to your favorite tunes can significantly reduce acute pain.

Cognition
How We Count Hidden Objects

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on September 28, 2023

Could you determine the contents of a box by shaking it? New research shows how people can use haptic perception to estimate the number of spheres in a box.

Could you determine the contents of a box by shaking it? New research shows how people can use haptic perception to estimate the number of spheres in a box.

Cognition
A New Illusion of Relative Height

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on July 28, 2023

A new illusion called the Box-Circle illusion was reported in which a horizontal arrangement of boxes makes dots appear to be vertically misaligned.

A new illusion called the Box-Circle illusion was reported in which a horizontal arrangement of boxes makes dots appear to be vertically misaligned.

Anger
Do Colors Represent Emotions?

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on April 27, 2023

When we hear phrases like, "She's green with envy" or "He's feeling blue," are they linguistic conventions, or is there a deeper relationship between colors and emotions?

When we hear phrases like, "She's green with envy" or "He's feeling blue," are they linguistic conventions, or is there a deeper relationship between colors and emotions?