You Are Not So Smart 249 - The Power of Surprise (rebroadcast)
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Dec 24, 2022 A runaway horse, an unexpected panda, and a fake facial scar open a lively exploration of surprise and the stories we build around it. Michael Rousell discusses dopamine, prediction, confirmation bias, and how a well-timed comment can reshape someone’s sense of who they are.
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Dopamine's True Role
- Dopamine is not a reward chemical, but rather a prediction error signal.
- It helps us learn by highlighting discrepancies between expectations and reality.
Surprise and Learning
- Surprise triggers learning because it signals a prediction error.
- This error motivates the brain to update its model of the world.
Interpretation of Surprise
- Surprise is unique among emotions as it requires interpretation.
- This interpretation shapes our beliefs and subsequent actions.