Program Three: Brain Matters: Video: Full Episode
Peer into Alan Alda's head as we uncover where our most human abilities reside. Watch the full episode now.
Peer into Alan Alda's head as we uncover where our most human abilities reside. Watch the full episode now.
Alan Alda finds out how human social networks compare to those of chimps and watches babies pick cooperative puppets over those that won't play.
Cognitive psychologist Elizabeth Spelke tests the representational thinking skills of children by asking them to relate a map to the real world.
Alan Alda confronts the puzzle of why our ancestors got the Spark and evolved into us, while the first humans to leave Africa for Europe--the Neanderthals--never did.
Alan Alda visits Yale University’s Laurie Santos at a small Caribbean island where she is studying rhesus monkeys’ ability to steal grapes…and read minds.
Alan Alda finds out how children will help—and like it, while chimps are less inclined to offer enthusiastic assistance.
Alan Alda vists the rock shelter of Abri Castanet in Southwest France where he is shocked to learn about some of our ancestors’ early behaviors.
Alan Alda joins John Shea for a lesson on Primitive Technology. Alan makes hand axes like a Neanderthal, but throws a pretty mean spear at an unsuspecting doe.
Alan gets a highly detailed scan of his brain. This image is the starting point for a search within his brain – as well as the brains of others – for the essential components of the Human Spark.
Alan Alda sets out to explore the difference between chimpanzees and ourselves, and quickly finds that the scientists studying chimps and other non-human primates are themselves separated into opposing worldviews.
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