

EP 276 Carolyn Dicey Jennings on Attention and Mental Control
22 snips Dec 19, 2024
Carolyn Dicey Jennings, a philosophy professor at UC Merced, dives deep into the nature of attention and mental control. She distinguishes between self-control and mental control, using the ping pong metaphor to illustrate their differences. The discussion highlights the dynamics of attention, from voluntary focus to the complexities of ADHD. Jennings also explores the benefits of hyperfocus, the role of dopamine in memory, and how meditation and mind wandering can coexist as forms of cognitive regulation. Her insights weave together philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, making for a captivating conversation.
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Mental Control
- Mental control is the control of the mind by the mind, closely linked to attention.
- It's broader than self-control, encompassing more than just inhibition.
Ping Pong Metaphor
- Carolyn Dicey Jennings uses ping pong as a metaphor for mental control.
- Playing ping pong involves tracking the ball, demonstrating attentional selectivity.
Attention as Prioritization
- Attention involves prioritizing one thing over another, a selective activity.
- Carolyn Dicey Jennings prefers "prioritization" to "selection" to emphasize the active process.