Something You Should Know The Science of Focus and Distraction & Unlocking Emotional Intelligence
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Sep 25, 2025 
Dr. Zelana Montminy, a behavioral scientist and author, discusses how distractions derail our focus and offers strategies to reclaim attention and enhance productivity. She highlights the negative effects of phones and divided attention on mental health. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, delves into the importance of emotional granularity and the power of regulating emotions for better relationships and decision-making. Together, they provide tools to combat distraction and improve emotional well-being.
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Hormones Drive Dishonest Behavior
- Elevated testosterone reduces fear of punishment while elevated cortisol creates stress that motivates cheating behavior.
- Cheating can lower cortisol, making dishonesty a stress-relief loop that encourages repeat cheating.
Reduce Stress To Reduce Cheating
- Lowering cortisol through practices like yoga, meditation, or exercise can reduce the motivation to cheat.
- Address stress rather than moralizing to prevent unethical behavior.
Focus Is Choice And Meaning
- Focus equals deciding what matters and shaping your life around it, not just discipline.
- In a noisy world, focus acts as both survival and meaning-making.
