Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss how desire influences risk assessment, exploring examples like addicted smokers prioritizing immediate satisfaction over long-term risks. They also delve into the connection between physiology and decision-making, highlighting the paradox of freedom and the lack of support for negative outcomes. The episode provides intriguing insights into the psychology of risk assessment.
Our behavior is driven by goals rooted in primitive processes, not conscious thoughts.
Motivation and desire influence our risk tolerance, leading to decisions that may not align with rational thinking.
Deep dives
The Influence of Goals and Evolutionary Processes on Behavior
Our behavior is driven by goals, which can be based on avoiding harmful stimuli or being attracted to pleasurable ones. These goals are rooted in primitive processes and are not driven by conscious thoughts or cognition. While our ability to think and make choices is a product of our conscious mind, it is actually our emotions and feelings that play a significant role in decision-making. These emotions and feelings have been shaped by our evolutionary history, influencing our behavior.
The Impact of Motivation on Risk Tolerance
Motivation plays a crucial role in determining our risk tolerance. When we strongly desire something, the object of our desire becomes more attractive to us while potential obstacles or risks lose their value. This was demonstrated in studies involving addicted smokers who showed a higher tolerance for the risks associated with smoking when they had a strong craving for a cigarette. The engagement of a goal influences our perception of risk, leading to decisions that may not align with our rational thinking. This dynamic has implications for understanding why people make impulsive decisions or take risks in certain situations.
How we understand, assess, and determine what risks we are willing to take can change depending on a variety of variables, but what we might not consider is that much of this is happening below our conscious awareness.