Cognition | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/cognition/RSS feed for CognitionenThu, 24 Jul 2025 15:59:52 +0000Optimists Really Are on the 'Same Wavelength' When They Think About the Future, New Study of Brain Activity Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/optimists-really-are-on-the-same-wavelength-when-they-think-about-the-future-new-study-of-brain-activity-suggests-180987033/As the research participants thought about future scenarios, optimists displayed similar neural patterns, but pessimists showed more individualized brain activityThu, 24 Jul 2025 15:59:52 +0000Octopuses Fall for the Rubber Hand Illusion, Just Like Humans, Pointing to a Sense of Body Ownershiphttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/octopuses-fall-for-the-rubber-hand-illusion-just-like-humans-pointing-to-a-sense-of-body-ownership-180987024/The trick that plays with awareness of one’s own limb appeared to fool all six of the cephalopods tested in a series of experimentsWed, 23 Jul 2025 15:35:35 +0000How Do Dogs Watch TV? That Might Depend on Their Personalities, New Research Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-do-dogs-watch-tv-that-might-depend-on-their-personalities-new-research-suggests-180987014/A survey-based study reveals how different dogs react to elements on TV, suggesting that personalized television enrichment could support animal welfare in shelters or at homeMon, 21 Jul 2025 17:23:40 +0000Need to Solve a Problem? Try Taking a Deep Power Nap for an 'Aha' Moment, Research Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/need-to-solve-a-problem-try-taking-a-deep-power-nap-for-an-aha-moment-research-suggests-180986901/A new study finds that entering N2 sleep—a deep phase of non-rapid eye movement sleep—may help lead to more “eureka” breakthroughsMon, 30 Jun 2025 19:27:23 +0000These Australian Cockatoos Learned to Operate Drinking Fountains With Their Feet to Quench Their Thirsthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-australian-cockatoos-learned-to-operate-drinking-fountains-with-their-feet-to-quench-their-thirst-180986742/Birds in Sydney’s western suburbs have figured out how to get a sip from the fountains, even though they have access to nearby streamsWed, 04 Jun 2025 20:36:06 +0000Cats Can Recognize Their Owner's Scent Compared to a Stranger's, New Research Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cats-can-recognize-their-owners-scent-compared-to-a-strangers-new-research-suggests-180986710/In an experiment, domestic cats spent longer sniffing cotton swabs with the scents of unfamiliar people than swabs with the scent of their ownerMon, 02 Jun 2025 17:44:39 +0000