All In The Mind

When people with mental illness and cognitive impairments cycle in an out of jail—is there a better solution? 'Problem solving courts' are one approach, and shift the relationship between the judge and the judged. Join Natasha Mitchell at a symposium considering the 'for and against' with key players in Australia.

From Dexter and CSI to the nightly news - murder fills our media, and lethal violence never ceases to fascinate and frighten. A forensic look at the tense history of murder, and a modern rethink of the psychology of shame and honour in preventing it.

Rock star by night, neuroscientist by day—Joseph LeDoux's research has redefined our understanding of fear and emotion—and now the possibility of treating fearful memories. Natasha Mitchell visits his NYC studio to talk science, song, and his band, The Amygdaloids, where mind and brain take centre stage.

Advertising used to be straightforward. Now neuromarketing has arrived, armed with a brain scanner and seeking to unearth your real buying desires. The Mad Men are excited, there's enticing potential, but neuroethicists have concerns for the autonomy and privacy of your inner-most sanctum - your thoughts.

Many Anglo-Australians lament speaking only one language when they travel overseas. But now we know being bilingual pays big dividends -- culturally and cognitively. From bilingual babies to slowing the deterioration of Alzheimer's, three leading psycholinguists join Natasha Mitchell to share their striking research.

Growing up with a depressed parent takes its toll, reframing how you look at the world as a child. In 2007, Mike Bernstein recorded a moving dialogue between 12-year-old Cameron and his father, Bob. Four years later Mike returns, to discover a staggering story in Bob's past. A rare insight into the anatomy of depression.

Are you a supertaster? Do your favourite flavours leave others flummoxed? Psychologist Linda Bartoshuk's influential work has unveiled how taste varies between people, and the striking impact that has on your health and wellbeing.

S.B grew up blind. But at middle age his sight was returned to him. His case transformed the field of visual perception, but it's also the bittersweet story of the fruits, and spoils, of science. Due to BBC copyright, this week's podcast, Radio Australia and streaming version is the triumphant story of Zoltan Torey, blinded as a young man.

In 1987, 46-year-old Nikki Palin's head 'exploded', according to her daughter Hannah. After a ruptured aneurysm, Nikki's personality radically changed and recovery was slow, but surprisingly Nikki likes her post-aneurysm self so much more! A before and after story that'll make you grin...and sing.

Floods, fires, cyclones and the anniversary of Black Saturday. Psychological debriefing is a technique aimed at helping us process traumatic events, so the emotional scars can heal not harm. To some the approach is discredited, ineffective and may even do damage -- to others it can still have an important role. Beyond the controversy, where does the field stand today?