Modern Wisdom

#987 - Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett - The New Science Of Emotions, Anxiety & Brain Health

440 snips
Aug 30, 2025
Guest
Lisa Feldman Barrett
Lisa Feldman Barrett, a prominent psychology professor and neuroscientist, dives deep into the nature of emotions and their complexities. She explores how our emotional experiences are unique and influenced by context, challenging the idea of objective perception. The discussion covers the impact of chronic stress on the brain, the misinterpretation of physical conditions as emotional states, and practical methods for navigating anxiety. Listeners will learn about fostering emotional resilience and the importance of social connections to improve mental health.
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INSIGHT

Emotions Are Variable Categories

  • Emotions like anger and joy are variable categories, not single fixed states.
  • We share enough overlap to communicate, but individual distributions of instances differ.
INSIGHT

Meaning Comes From Past Instances

  • Brains make meaning by matching sensory signals to past instances and concepts.
  • More varied experience and vocabulary give greater flexibility in meaning-making.
INSIGHT

Prediction Shapes Perception

  • The brain infers causes from outcomes because it only senses effects inside the skull.
  • Preparation for action (prediction) shapes sensation, not the other way around.
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