You Are Not So Smart

222 - The Power of Surprise - Michael Rousell

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Dec 27, 2021
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INSIGHT

Surprise Triggers Belief Change

  • Surprise triggers almost all belief changes though not all surprises do.
  • Surprise is key to learning and rewiring beliefs about ourselves and the world.
INSIGHT

Dopamine Signals Prediction Errors

  • Dopamine is not just a reward chemical but a prediction error signal.
  • Phasic dopamine spikes alert us to surprises that indicate errors in our expectations.
INSIGHT

Dopamine Motivates Belief Updates

  • The brain is motivated by dopamine levels to continue or abandon tasks based on prediction accuracy.
  • Surprise leads to updated beliefs by reinforcing or avoiding unexpected outcomes.
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