Vittorio Gallese's latest interdisciplinary connection: mirror neurons and cinema. Why is it that we become so immersed when watching a film? What goes on inside our brains to create this empathetic connection with the screen?

By Michael Balter Are crows mind readers? Recent studies have suggested that the birds hide food because they think others will steal it -- a comple...

It appears we may have at least two main modes of thought, one that focuses on social interactions and the mental states of others, and another that focuses on inanimate objects and the physical principles that make them work. Both modes of thought can't be engaged simultaneously.

Most of the time we are not even aware that we are attributing thoughts and feelings to people. Sure, afterwards I construct elaborate clauses about what I thought about what you thought about what I thought. But when it's happening, it's fast, messy, and mostly nonverbal.

Scientists who study religion have come to agree that belief in God (or gods) relies on our ability, and propensity, to think about the minds of others. This means that if you are autistic and unable to "mentalize," you would be an atheist. New research provides fresh evidence for this claim.

Andrew Whiten and Richard Byrne argue that primate intelligence stems from "Machiavellian Intelligence" -- the ability to manipulate and deceive others in the competition for scarce resources. According to this view, manipulative tendencies co-evolved with mind-reading ability.

By: Charles Choi, LiveScience Contributor Published: 02/06/2012 03:06 PM EST on LiveScience Chimps know what tools others need to get work done ...