Rethinking Thought

Synesthesia

What's White About White Noise?

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on September 1, 2024

Only some of us are synesthetes, but creatively connecting senses to describe our feelings may help us understand each other’s lives.

Only some of us are synesthetes, but creatively connecting senses to describe our feelings may help us understand each other’s lives.

Attention

Readers Need Description to Believe a Story

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on June 19, 2024

Show, Don't Tell: A command keeping young writers from doing their best work.

Show, Don't Tell: A command keeping young writers from doing their best work.

Neuroscience

The Sound of Genocide: We Hear the Truths We Deny

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on March 13, 2024

Like no other sense, hearing insistently reminds us of things we would rather not know.

Like no other sense, hearing insistently reminds us of things we would rather not know.

Unconscious

Bodies in Suspense: How Writers' Words Can Influence the Body

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on December 24, 2023

Without referring to a pounding heart, a skilled suspense writer can make your heart beat faster.

Without referring to a pounding heart, a skilled suspense writer can make your heart beat faster.

Emotions

Light Can Stir Emotion That Demands Attention

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on September 22, 2023

In our fascination with how tastes and smells awaken memories, we've overlooked the emotional work of light.

In our fascination with how tastes and smells awaken memories, we've overlooked the emotional work of light.

Cognition

Learning From the Language of Pain

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on July 9, 2023

A novelist's description of pain as "searing clamor" may someday help a patient and doctor to communicate.

A novelist's description of pain as "searing clamor" may someday help a patient and doctor to communicate.

Relationships

The Gut-Punch of Rejection: Literature Tells It Like It Is

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on April 24, 2023

Genuine healing doesn’t come from pretending to move on and hoping one’s emotions will follow.

Genuine healing doesn’t come from pretending to move on and hoping one’s emotions will follow.

Imagination

Movement Powers the Imagination

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on January 15, 2023

In compelling stories, as in human brains, action and perception feed each other.

In compelling stories, as in human brains, action and perception feed each other.

Imagination

Sensory Politics: In Literature, Relatability Matters

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on October 16, 2022

Stereotypes thrive where imagination lags. Imagining people's sensations can help us imagine their inner lives.

Stereotypes thrive where imagination lags. Imagining people's sensations can help us imagine their inner lives.

Dementia

Body Ownership and the Spirit of Capitalism

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on July 17, 2022

What are the consequences of thinking that you own your body and your memories?

What are the consequences of thinking that you own your body and your memories?

Cognition

Brain Fog as Metaphor

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on April 17, 2022

I felt as though if passers-by had touched me, their hands would have passed right through me.

I felt as though if passers-by had touched me, their hands would have passed right through me.

Persuasion

The Multisensory Taste of Food

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on January 23, 2022

Does food have to look good to taste good?

Does food have to look good to taste good?

Aging

Learning to Be 60 Without Complaint

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on October 23, 2021

By dismissing talk about aging as whining, we may be blocking a stream of knowledge that could save each other’s lives.

By dismissing talk about aging as whining, we may be blocking a stream of knowledge that could save each other’s lives.

Anger

The Meaning of Resentment

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on July 26, 2021

Calling anger "resentment" invalidates the emotions of people who may have good reasons to be angry.

Calling anger "resentment" invalidates the emotions of people who may have good reasons to be angry.

Fantasies

Seeing the Light: How Visual Mental Imagery Can Evoke Emotion

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on April 24, 2021

Visual images in our minds carry the emotions triggered by the rich, tragic life we see.

Visual images in our minds carry the emotions triggered by the rich, tragic life we see.

Scent

Smells Awaken the Mind

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on January 22, 2021

Trying to describe a smell may mean striving to understand a disturbing emotion or an undervalued form of knowledge.

Trying to describe a smell may mean striving to understand a disturbing emotion or an undervalued form of knowledge.

Memory

Visual Memories Linger

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on November 26, 2020

For memory, the meanings of words may matter less than their ability to inspire mental pictures.

For memory, the meanings of words may matter less than their ability to inspire mental pictures.

Empathy

Empathy Through Vision and Movement

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on August 26, 2020

Instincts older than humanity may save humans as long as we respect all of life.

Instincts older than humanity may save humans as long as we respect all of life.

Neuroscience

The Breath in Your Body

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on June 18, 2020

Seeing a man denied the right to breathe has inspired millions of people to imagine what he felt.

Seeing a man denied the right to breathe has inspired millions of people to imagine what he felt.

Fear

What Toilet Paper Means

Laura C. Otis Ph.D. on March 19, 2020

If we fear the collapse of culture and civic order, there are better ways to respond than hoarding toilet paper.

If we fear the collapse of culture and civic order, there are better ways to respond than hoarding toilet paper.