Unconscious mind and our behavior | John Bargh | Reason with Science | Psychology | Consciousness

Jun 30, 2023

In this conversation, John Bargh, a Yale social psychologist known for his insights into the unconscious mind, discusses how subtle cues shape our behaviors and decisions. He highlights the powerful effects of priming and automaticity, revealing our unconscious biases and the possibility of retraining them. The dialogue explores the evolution of consciousness, the interplay between conscious and unconscious influences, and how sensory experiences impact social judgments. Listeners will be intrigued by the complexities of human behavior and the implications for our daily lives.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Reflections on a Career in Psychology and Consciousness

01:45 • 2min

The Hard Problem of Consciousness

04:12 • 6min

Unconscious Influence on Behavior

10:24 • 10min

The Warmth of Interaction

20:41 • 27min

The Shifting Perception of Robots and AI Threats

47:52 • 3min

Cultural Priming and Its Social Impacts

50:30 • 17min

The Evolution of Consciousness and Unconsciousness

01:07:26 • 17min

Harnessing the Unconscious: Self-Regulation and Multitasking

01:24:05 • 12min

Understanding Unconscious Biases

01:36:01 • 11min

Before You Know It

John Bargh

Inferno

Dante Alighieri

Inferno is the first part of Dante Alighieri's epic poem, The Divine Comedy. It describes Dante's journey through the nine concentric circles of Hell, each representing a different level of sin and punishment. Guided by Virgil, Dante encounters various historical and mythological figures, witnessing their punishments which are symbolic of their sins. The poem is an allegory of the soul's journey towards God, with Inferno representing the recognition and rejection of sin. Dante's journey through Hell is also a personal and spiritual exploration, reflecting his own struggles and the political and social issues of his time.

Metaphors We Live By

Mark Johnson

George Lakoff

In 'Metaphors We Live By,' George Lakoff and Mark Johnson argue that metaphor is not just a figure of speech but a fundamental mechanism of the mind that allows us to use our physical and social experiences to understand more abstract concepts. The book introduces the concept of 'conceptual metaphors' and demonstrates how these metaphors structure our perceptions, thoughts, and actions. It challenges traditional views in Western philosophy and linguistics by showing that metaphor is pervasive in everyday language and thought, influencing how we think about concepts like love, arguments, and truth.

The better angels of our nature

Why Violence Has Declined

Steven Pinker

In this book, Steven Pinker presents a detailed argument that violence has significantly decreased over the course of human history. He uses extensive data and statistical analysis to demonstrate this decline in various domains, including military conflict, homicide, genocide, torture, and the treatment of children, homosexuals, animals, and racial and ethnic minorities. Pinker identifies four key human motivations – empathy, self-control, the moral sense, and reason – as the 'better angels' that have oriented humans away from violence and towards cooperation and altruism. He also discusses historical forces such as the rise of the state (which he terms 'Leviathan'), the spread of commerce, the growth of feminist values, and the expansion of cosmopolitanism, which have contributed to this decline in violence[1][4][5].

Grit

The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Angela Duckworth

In this book, Angela Duckworth presents a compelling argument that success is driven more by grit, a fusion of relentless passion and perseverance, than by talent. She explains what grit is, how to identify and develop it, and how it can be grown through stages such as developing interests, consistent practice, finding a pro-social purpose, and cultivating optimism. The book is structured in three parts: explaining what grit is and why it matters, how to grow grit from the inside out, and how to grow grit from the outside in, targeting parents, coaches, teachers, and organizational leaders. Duckworth supports her arguments with personal stories, historical insights, and interviews with high achievers from various fields.

Peak Mind

Amishi Jha

Peak Mind by Amishi Jha provides a comprehensive overview of the science of attention, debunking common assumptions and offering new insights into how attention works. The book introduces three subsystems of attention: the flashlight, floodlight, and juggler. It offers practical, flexible 12-minute-a-day exercises to lift mental fog, declutter the mind, and strengthen focus. Drawing from research and personal experiences, including work with soldiers, firefighters, athletes, and professionals, Dr. Jha guides readers on how to train their brains to pay attention more effectively, helping them to function at their peak in all aspects of life.

The Hardest Problem

Rupert Shortt

The Open Society and Its Enemies

The Spell of Plato

Karl Popper

Written during World War II and published in 1945, 'The Open Society and Its Enemies' is a seminal work in political philosophy. Karl Popper critiques the theories of teleological historicism espoused by Plato, Hegel, and Marx, arguing that these theories undermine individual freedom and pave the way for authoritarian regimes. The book defends the open society and liberal democracy, emphasizing the importance of critical rationalism, individual freedom, and the ethos of scientific inquiry in politics. It also discusses the challenges facing open societies, including totalitarianism, dogmatism, and relativism, and advocates for a piecemeal approach to social reform.

The Language Instinct

How the Mind Creates Language

Steven Pinker

In this book, Steven Pinker argues that language is an innate human ability, produced by evolution to solve the problem of communication among social hunter-gatherers. He explains how language works, how children learn it, how it changes, and how the brain computes it. Pinker refutes common ideas such as the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis and the notion that language is a human invention. He supports his argument with examples from linguistics, psychology, and popular culture, emphasizing that language is a specialized 'mental module' rather than a mark of advanced intelligence. The book also includes updates on advances in the science of language since its initial publication.

The Blueprint

Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter)

Released on September 11, 2001, *The Blueprint* is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. It was created during a tumultuous period in Jay-Z's life, including legal issues and feuds with other rappers. The album features a soul-based soundscape, with notable tracks like 'Izzo (H.O.V.A.)' and 'Takeover.' Despite its release coinciding with the September 11 attacks, it debuted at number one on the US charts and has since been selected for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry for its cultural and historical significance.

The Robot Series

Science Fiction Stories and Novels

Isaac Asimov

The Robot Series by Isaac Asimov includes thirty-seven short stories and six novels, exploring themes of human-robot interaction and morality. The series introduces the Three Laws of Robotics, which ensure robots remain loyal and non-threatening to humans. Notable works include 'I, Robot', 'The Caves of Steel', and 'The Robots of Dawn'.

Connected

James Fowler

Nicholas Christakis

In *Connected*, Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler reveal the surprising ways in which social networks shape our lives. They explain how emotions are contagious, health behaviors spread, and how social networks influence our ideas, relationships, and behavior. The book challenges traditional notions of individuality by highlighting the powerful role of networks in shaping our experiences.