Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 01 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02573-7Tangible rewards are known to sharpen visual processing of associated objects. Tomić et al. show that an internal sense of confidence—acting as an intrinsic reward—similarly biases attention, revealing how the brain prioritizes limited resources.

Cognitive maps are essential for navigation, but to what extent are they involved in thinking more broadly? In this opinion article, we examine whethe…

Podcast Episode · The Joy of Why · August 20 · 52m

Curiosity, the intrinsic motivation to investigate and gain information, is fundamental to human intelligence. However, like other cognitive capacities that ...

Neuronal recordings show how three brain areas encode a ‘goal-blending’ variable when there is more than one target.

Curiosity, the intrinsic motivation to investigate and gain information, is fundamental to human intelligence. However, like other cognitive capacities that ...

Mice are motivated to seek information of no extrinsic value. Recording neural activity in orbitofrontal cortex reveals a representation of the value of information that is distinct from the value of ...

Abstract. To measure self-control in non-human animals, subjects are typically tested on how long they will wait for a larger–later food reward instead of

Larger flocks of migrating songbirds orient more accurately toward their population’s migratory direction than smaller flocks.

Objectives As animal brain size increases, cognitive performance generally increases. However, other key brain functions, such as the regulation of somatic processes, processing of sensory input, an...

Just like vertebrates, cephalopods — such as octopuses and squid — have elaborate brains. Neuroscientists are flocking to them for insights into how intelligence evolved.

Comedian Ardal O’Hanlon and stars of Amandaland, Philippa Dunne and Samuel Anderson, join Roman Kemp and JB Gill on the sofa.

Letters: Responding to an article by the PM, Caroline Lucas says he must be clearer about climate risks, Molly Scott Cato says we must reverse Brexit and Dr Victor Ajuwon applauds Labour’s directness....