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The Dissenter

#1019 Réka Blazsek: Social Norms, Institutions, Ownership, and the Mental Health of PhD Students

Nov 14, 2024
Réka Blazsek, a PhD candidate at Central European University, delves into the interplay between cognitive science and social phenomena. She discusses how societal norms emerge from social minds and explains the intricate dynamics of ownership across different domains. The conversation also touches on the mental health struggles faced by PhD students, including imposter syndrome and the critical need for collaboration and support. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of how individual cognition shapes shared beliefs and institutional frameworks.
01:03:27

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Quick takeaways

  • The cognitive and evolutionary roots of social norms and ownership are crucial for understanding societal interactions and behaviors.
  • PhD students face unique mental health challenges during their transition from consumer to producer of knowledge, necessitating institutional support.

Deep dives

The Interplay of Cognition and Institutions

Understanding how social minds influence societal phenomena forms the core of research in cognitive science and economics. Researchers explore various topics like ownership, responsibility, fairness, and trust, aiming to identify their cognitive and evolutionary roots. The overarching question addressed is why these social constructs evolved and the societal problems they aim to solve, rooted in the understanding that humans are ultra-social beings. This unique perspective connects cognitive capacities with the formation of laws and social norms, highlighting our intrinsic ability to consider the mental states of others.

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