Making Sense with Sam Harris cover image

Making Sense with Sam Harris

#380 — The Roots of Attention

Aug 23, 2024
Amishi Jha, a professor of psychology at the University of Miami and director of contemplative neuroscience, delves into the fascinating world of attention and the brain. They explore how attention is studied and the shortcomings of brain-training games. Jha highlights the intrinsic nature of mindfulness and its neurological benefits. The conversation covers the link between thought and emotion, smartphone distractions, and the importance of mind wandering. Throughout, they discuss evolving mindfulness practices that can reshape our brain networks for enhanced focus and awareness.
45:29

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Mindfulness is essential in enhancing attention and awareness, thereby helping individuals manage distractions and emotional reactivity effectively.
  • The limitations of brain-training games highlight the need for more effective methods to strengthen attention beyond superficial tasks and technology-driven solutions.

Deep dives

Understanding Attention Systems

The brain's attention mechanisms are explored, highlighting their significance in cognitive functioning and potential lapses. Attention is not a singular capability but involves multiple systems, including selective focus, alerting to present moments, and goal-related processing. Each system plays a distinct role, from prioritizing information to ensuring actions align with personal goals. This multi-faceted view emphasizes the importance of training attention, especially for individuals in high-stakes environments where attention lapses can lead to serious consequences.

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