StarTalk Radio [Cosmic Queries] Our Brains on Film: Neurocinematics with Heather Berlin
Mar 29, 2022
Join neuroscientist Heather Berlin, an expert in neurocinematics, as she delves into how our brains respond to films. Discover how cinema influences our emotions and thoughts, from emotional manipulation to the role of the prefrontal cortex. The conversation tackles brain myths portrayed in movies like 'Lucy,' the impact of media on mental health, and the ethics of AI perceptions. With humor, they analyze the complexities of depicting mental illness in films and the surprising therapeutic potential of cinema. This engaging chat will change how you watch movies!
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Neurocinematics and Engagement
- Measuring inter-subject correlation in brain activity reveals audience engagement levels.
- Hitchcock films excel at capturing attention, as evidenced by high inter-subject correlation.
Prefrontal Cortex and Civilization
- Humans possess the largest prefrontal cortex relative to brain size.
- This area governs impulse control, decision-making, and future planning, enabling civilization.
Dunbar Number
- The Dunbar number links prefrontal cortex size to social group scale.
- Larger prefrontal cortices correlate with larger, more complex societies across species.