Thinking Clearly #110-The Role of Emotions in Thinking and Learning-with guest Mary Helen Immordino-Yang
Sep 23, 2025
In a fascinating discussion, Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, an expert in education, psychology, and neuroscience, shares insights from her research on the vital role of emotions in learning and decision-making. She explains why all thinking is infused with emotion and the importance of this integration for rational thought. Immordino-Yang highlights how cultural influences shape emotional experiences and offers practical educational strategies to enhance curiosity and critical thinking in schools. Prepare to rethink the way you view emotions!
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Emotion Is Part Of Rational Thought
- All thinking is inherently emotional because we only spend cognitive effort on what matters to us.
- Rational thought depends on emotions to signal relevance and motivate analysis.
Patient EVR: Intellect Without Emotional Weight
- The Damasios' patient EVR showed intact IQ but severe decision failures after ventromedial prefrontal damage.
- Without emotion to weight consequences, his cognition produced amoral and destructive choices.
Bodily Systems Underpin Social Emotions
- Social emotions like compassion and admiration recruit bodily and brainstem systems tied to survival regulation.
- These bodily substrates are elaborated into feelings that support complex moral and social thought.
