Time travel and storytelling are essential in our ability to experience regret. Counterfactual thinking is when we imagine a situation that runs counter to the actual facts. It's one reason why, as a cognitive scientist, you know that little kids can't do this. Their brains are not fully developed enough to do this kind of processing.
Next in our listeners’ favorite series: Author Daniel Pink teaches us how to transform our relationship with regret so that we can live happier, more fulfilling lives.
If you enjoyed this episode, Maya suggests you check out this one next: “Grieving the Man I Thought My Husband Was”
We’ll be back with new episodes in the fall. In the meantime, you can connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShanker.
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