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59. Robert Sapolsky: The psychology behind Donald Trump, the science of stress, and the illusion of ‘free will’

Feb 12, 2024
Robert Sapolsky, a scientist specializing in stress and psychology, discusses the psychology behind Donald Trump, the science of stress, and the illusion of 'free will'. Other topics include baboon behavior and its political parallels, the impact of social media on politics, why poor Americans support Trump, the influence of race on jury decisions, the lack of empathy, and the genetic and environmental influences on mental health.
01:04:53

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Quick takeaways

  • Chronic stress caused by societal factors like socioeconomic status can have detrimental effects on health, leading to various diseases and mental health problems.
  • Understanding the relationship between societal status, stress, and health can help address health inequalities and develop appropriate interventions.

Deep dives

The impact of stress on health

Stress, whether from physical or psychological factors, triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol. While stress in immediate, life-threatening situations can be beneficial, chronic stress caused by societal factors like socioeconomic status can have detrimental effects on health. Chronic stress is linked to various diseases including cardiovascular issues, diabetes, immune dysfunction, and mental health problems like depression. Understanding the psychological stress caused by societal factors is important in addressing health disparities.

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