Most of us have ideas about what we’re looking for in a romantic partner. But psychologist Paul Eastwick says these preferences are surprisingly poor guides for finding love. He explains why attraction is so difficult to predict, and what the research suggests is the best way to meet someone with whom you'll connect. Then, in a new installment of “Your Questions Answered,” psychologist Ed Lemay responds to your questions about how we project our own thoughts and feelings onto other people, and how these projections shape our relationships.

In our companion conversation for Hidden Brain+ subscribers, we talk with Paul Eastwick about online dating apps. He says apps can powerfully shape our experience of meeting potential romantic partners — often not for the better. If you're a subscriber, that episode is called “The Online Dating Trap.” If you're not yet a subscriber, you can listen to that conversation with a free seven-day trial to Hidden Brain+ by going to support.hiddenbrain.org. If you use an Apple device, you can subscribe via Apple Podcasts at apple.co/hidden brain.

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Why is my friend late? How does nuclear fission work? What can I do to help my baby sleep through the night? We all feel the need to understand why certain things happen. Some researchers think the drive to explain the world is a basic human impulse, similar to thirst or hunger. This week on Hidden Brain, psychologist Tania Lombrozo discusses how explanations can lead to discovery, delight, and disaster. Then, Jonathan Rottenberg answers your questions about rethinking depression on Your Questions Answered.

What are the mistakes most of us make when we try to resist a craving? We talk about that in our latest YouTube video. Check it out, and leave a comment letting us know what you think of the techniques we discuss for grappling with temptations.

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Millions of us move through our days without getting enough sleep. We know that sleep deprivation can affect our physical health and our mood. But sleep researcher Chris Barnes says a chronic lack of good sleep can also affect how we make decisions and even what we value. He joins us to explore the forces that keep us from getting the rest we need, and offers practical strategies for getting better sleep. Later, psychologist Rachel Zoffness returns to answer your questions about the experience of pain, in our latest installment of "Your Questions Answered."

Is your parenting style preventing your child from thriving? We explore this question — and share five practical parenting strategies we've featured on Hidden Brain — in our latest YouTube video. Check it out here, and share your parenting strategies with us in the comments!

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