The Giants Shoulder #83 Meet The Leading Behavioural Change Neuroscientist for 2026
Jan 5, 2026
Dr. Tali Sharot, a cognitive neuroscientist and director of the Affective Brain Lab, dives into the fascinating world of behavior change. She reveals why mere facts don’t change beliefs, emphasizing the power of emotional storytelling. Tali discusses how social incentives and rewards can effectively cultivate lasting habits. She shares an intriguing hospital case where small tweaks skyrocketed handwashing compliance. Additionally, she warns of social media's impact on our emotions and perceptions, while highlighting the potential of AI in neuroscience research.
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Why Facts Often Fail To Change Minds
- People resist facts when those facts conflict with existing priors or provide disutility for holding the belief.
- Motivated reasoning protects identity and reduces belief updating even when presented with evidence.
Stories Synchronize Brains Better Than Stats
- Stories and emotion synchronize listeners' brain activity and increase attention.
- Narratives encode information more reliably than dry statistics for changing beliefs.
Kickstart Habits With Rewards And Social Incentives
- Use social incentives, immediate rewards, and progress tracking to start effortful habits like exercise.
- Convert initial external rewards into routines until the activity becomes automatic.
