5 Must-read articles to explore human behavior and emotions

Human behavior is endlessly fascinating. In 2024, our readers explored a lot of studies and compelling discussions on our Behavioral Research Blog. From understanding early infant development to exploring how our emotions are constructed.

Which topics captured the most attention this year? Curious to see what resonated most with the research community? Join us as we walk through the 5 most-read blog posts in 2024, showing the most important topics in the ever-evolving field of human behavior research.

5 articles you shouldn't miss

Learn how to study human behavior with practical tools and techniques. Dive into what behavior really means and uncover the many forms it takes, from visible actions to internal processes. Rethink your understanding of emotions by exploring how emotions are made and discover the complex connection between mind and body in the science of emotions. Finally, see how the field of developmental psychology is evolving in research examples of developmental psychology.

The five blog posts highlight tools like The Observer XT, which allows for detailed behavioral coding and analysis, and Viso, a tool for recording and reviewing participants behavior and interactions in real-time. To simplify your multimodal research, NoldusHub integrates data streams from multiple devices to provide a comprehensive view of behavior. FaceReader automatically analyzes facial expressions to detect emotions, adding an objective layer to emotion research.

Behavior includes all actions and reactions of humans and animals, from simple reflexes to complex thoughts. The blog post "What is Behavior?" delves into this topic. 

It explains that behavior is about observable activities like walking or speaking, known as overt behavior. But it also includes internal mental processes such as thinking and feeling, referred to as covert behavior. 

The blog post also highlights social behavior, which involves interactions between individuals. Social behavior plays a key role in forming relationships, building communities, and shaping societal norms.

By reading this post, you'll gain a clearer understanding of the various forms of behavior and the factors that influence them, providing valuable insights for anyone interested in the study of human and animal actions.

https://www.noldus.com/blog/what-is-behavior

Whether you're a student, a professional, or just fascinated by human behavior, this post offers practical tips and tools you can use to better understand human behavior. It introduces key research approaches, including observation, physiological measures, and implicit measures.

Explore this blog post if you are curious about why people behave the way they do and want to learn how to study human behavior. Reading this blog post will help you:

• Understand research methods like observation and physiological measures
• Learn practical tools for studying behavior in real-world settings
• Explore applications of behavior research in fields like psychology, education, healthcare, and marketing

The blog is a helpful guide if you’re planning a research project or want tips on how to observe and analyze everyday behavior.

https://www.noldus.com/blog/how-to-study-human-behavior

Ever wondered how your brain creates emotions? The blog post "How emotions are made" dives into this fascinating question, challenging the idea that emotions are automatic responses. 

Instead, it explains that emotions are built by the brain, using past experiences to make sense of what we feel and perceive. This approach reshapes how we think about emotions — not as universal reactions, but as personal and context-dependent.

The post also explores how this understanding can impact fields like psychology, education, and even artificial intelligence. 

By reading this post, you'll learn how emotions work and discover new ways to think about them. This knowledge is useful for researchers and anyone curious about the human mind.

https://www.noldus.com/blog/how-emotions-are-made

This blog highlights real-world studies, from how infants develop motor skills to the surprising ways teenagers form social connections. It even touches on how adult brains adapt as we age.

Whether you're a researcher or simply fascinated by human development, this blog post offers a comprehensive overview of studies examining how individuals evolve from infancy through adulthood. 

https://www.noldus.com/blog/research-examples-of-developmental-psychology

Emotions shape our daily lives, influencing decisions and interactions. Emotions are complex and multifaceted. How do our brain and body create these feelings? Understanding the biological processes behind emotions offers valuable insights into the connection between mind and body.

In this blog post, the role of the limbic system is explained — a complex network deep within the brain that processes emotions like fear, happiness, and anger. For instance, when you encounter a threat, the amygdala triggers a fight-or-flight response, preparing your body to react.

The post also highlights the impact of hormones like cortisol and dopamine, showing how they influence our emotional states and physical reactions.

https://www.noldus.com/blog/science-of-emotions

Better insights in human behavior and emotions

Through these five blog posts, we’ve explored essential concepts and innovative research that shape how we study, interpret, and apply behavioral science. 

Whether you're looking for inspiration, practical tools, or just a deeper understanding of what makes us human, there’s something here for you. Which topic intrigued you the most?