Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain

Looks at why some of us are optimists and some pessimists, and what we can do about it. Breakthroughs in neuroscience shows that our brains are more malleable than we ever imagined, and that cognitive behaviourial therapy can alter our brains' circuitry. Lifelong pessimists can train themselves to think positively, and pleasure-seekers can take control of their lives.

Elaine Fox, born in Dublin, is a leading experimental psychologist and neuroscientist. Formerly Head of the Department of Psychology and Centre for Brain Science at The University of Essex, she is currently a Visiting Research Professor in the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. She has published widely in scientific journals and her work has been discussed in The Economist, New Scientist, New York Times, Guardian, The Times and others.