Savvy Psychologist Extreme thinking: Why our brains crave intensity over balance
Mar 26, 2025
Why do we crave intense experiences and extreme viewpoints? The podcast reveals how social media fuels this desire and the psychological effects of seeking thrill. It advocates for cognitive flexibility and encourages embracing diverse perspectives to combat black-and-white thinking. Listeners learn about the importance of balancing media consumption with nuanced viewpoints for personal growth. Ultimately, it champions finding stability in a world that often rewards the dramatic.
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Brains Crave Novelty
- Our brains crave novelty and stimulation, especially from the limbic system.
- Extremes activate the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine, thus making them appealing.
Simplicity of Extremes
- Balanced perspectives require more cognitive effort than extremes, which are simpler to process.
- This "cognitive ease" makes us feel more confident in our understanding, even if oversimplified.
Emotional Intensity and Memory
- Emotionally intense experiences create stronger memories due to the peak-end rule.
- We remember the highs and lows, while balanced experiences fade, making extremes more memorable.