An Indiana University study has concluded that “When groups of individuals are exposed to brands in the shopping environment, their memory for other brands within the same product category is impaired”. More information at EurekAlert.

There is an interesting post at Cognitive Daily on the fact that “17 will always be the most common answer when people are asked to choose a number between 1 and 20″. Curious stuff.

According to a research reported in ScienceDaily, students who believe that their intelligence can be developed do better in maths. Apparently, they simply believe “more in the power of effort, and [have] more constructive reactions to setbacks in school.”

A new study conducted on nuns has concluded that no individual part of the brain is responsible for religious experiences. Instead, the Montreal based experiment suggests that around a dozen separate areas are involved. It must, however, be noted that brain activity was not recorded during an actual religious experience, but only with the subjects trying to relive previous ones.

Read more at ScienceDaily

Literally. According to a neuroscientist, our brain is biochemically rewarded when we comprehend something or enjoy art. This, apparently, is not much unlike drug dependency, and if true, would have had obvious evolutionary consequences.

It has been known for some time that when shy people encounter novel experiences, a brain region responsible for negative emotions becomes very active. Now, a new research has shown that it may not only be the negative emotions that shy persons are extremely sensitive to, but also rewarding experiences are felt more strongly by them.

Indeed, it is possible that shyness simply is increased sensitivity to all sorts of stimuli. Read this AAAS article for more information.