BrainStuff Classics: Why Do We Make Our Monsters Cute?

The DSM is a manual that U.S. healthcare professionals use to identify and diagnose mental health issues -- and it’s a continual work in progress because our understanding of mental health is continually developing. Learn how the DSM works in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/mental-disorders/dsm-diagnostic-and-statistical-manual-mental-disorders.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State laws can prevent people convicted of crimes from voting, so why do federal laws let them run for president? Learn why it's actually a good thing, and when people can be barred from federal office, in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/criminal-conviction-bar-running-for-president.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fear and hatred of people who seem 'foreign' or 'other' can sadly pop up anywhere. Learn about xenophobia and how to fight it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/xenophobia.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something has to be done with all those fall leaves, but the best option for the environment (and your lawn) isn't raking, it's mulching. Learn why, and how to get started, in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/stop-raking-leaves.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 'tryant king' of the dinosaurs has been inspiring science (and science fiction) since it was first discovered. Learn how Tyrannosaurus worked in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/dinosaurs/tyrannosaurus.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the window of a small bridal shop in Mexico, an eerily lifelike mannequin has inspired macabre legends. Learn about La Pascualita in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/la-pascualita.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This board game brought communing with spirits to the mass market in the mid-1900s. Learn about Ouija's storied history -- plus how science says our subconscious is responsible for moving the planchette -- in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/unexplained-phenomena/ouija-boards.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some real-life legends haunt us even if literal ghosts do not. Learn how the tales about hired gun Tom Horn caught up with him in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/tom-horn.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop culture loves making horrific figures adorable, from Cthulhu plushies to 'cute' Freddy Krueger costumes. But why? Learn what researchers think about the spectrum of cute to monstrous in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The yak is a beautiful bovine adapted especially for its cold, high-altitude environment. Learn about yaks and their amazing milk and fiber in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/yak.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.