ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Behavioral neuroscience

Behavioral neuroscience is a way of looking at how our brains make us who we are and how they control our behavior. Think of it like a huge control center in your head that tells your body how to move, think and feel. Scientists who study behavioral neuroscience want to understand how the brain works, which parts are responsible for what, and how they all work together.

Imagine your brain is like a map, and there are different areas of the map dedicated to different jobs - some parts help you see, others help you process sounds, and some help you think and solve problems. Behavioral neuroscientists study how these different areas function, and how they interact with one another. They also look at how behavior and experience can change the brain.

For example, if someone gets injured in a certain part of their brain, it may affect certain behaviors or abilities. This is why scientists study the brain to try to understand how it works, and what factors can affect it. They can use this knowledge to develop treatments for brain injuries, diseases, and disorders.

Overall, behavioral neuroscience tries to answer questions like: How does your brain make you feel happy, sad, angry or scared? How does your brain control your appetite, movements, or sleep? It's an important field of research that helps us understand not only ourselves, but also animals, and how we are all similar and different in terms of how our brains work.