Choiceology with Katy Milkman

In this conversation, UFO expert Toby Ball, host of the podcast Strange Arrivals, shares insights about the Rendlesham Forest Incident, exploring the allure and skepticism surrounding unidentified flying objects. Alongside him, Tania Lombrozo, a psychology professor at Princeton, discusses our human tendency to favor simple explanations for complex issues, which can often lead to misinterpretations. Together, they examine the interplay between folklore and reality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing complexity in a world that often seeks simpler narratives.

Guests David Dunning, a social psychologist known for the Dunning-Kruger effect, and Andrew Flack, librettist for the opera 'Behold the Man,' dive deep into how we often misjudge our own abilities. They discuss the infamous restoration mishap by Cecilia Jimenez, revealing how her faux pas surprisingly revitalized a community. Dunning shares insights on how we all occasionally fall victim to overconfidence, urging listeners to embrace humility and continuous learning to better understand our own limits and capabilities.

Francis Kelly, former CEO of Arnold Worldwide, shares insights on harnessing rebellion for positive change in children and adults. He discusses the success of the "Truth" campaign, which cleverly used teenage defiance to lower smoking rates. Christopher Bryan, an academic at UT Austin, dives into his research on motivating healthier eating among adolescents by leveraging their rebellious nature. Together, they explore how understanding resistance can transform decision-making for better choices.

Historian Mary Stockwell discusses American Revolutionary War strategies of retreat and regrouping. Behavioral scientist Alex Imas explains risk-taking after realizing losses. The podcast explores the impact of loss realization on decision-making and the benefits of taking breaks to reset risk preferences.

Guests James Korris, Carey Morewedge & Jack Soll discuss a video game designed to reduce decision errors for intelligence analysts. They explore debiasing techniques through game design and share practical strategies for improving decision-making skills, emphasizing the importance of seeking diverse viewpoints and challenging assumptions.

Two experts in human behavior discuss how judgments of one trait can spill over to another unrelated trait, using examples from a reality TV show. They explore the impact of appearances on decision-making and strategies to mitigate biases, emphasizing the importance of impartial evaluations and the effects of first impressions.

Chef Simon Rogan and cross-cultural psychology expert Michele Gelfand discuss the impact of strict and relaxed cultures on decision-making. Simon shares his journey in changing kitchen culture, while Michele explores the concept of tight and loose cultures. They highlight the importance of finding the balance between following rules and breaking norms in different contexts.

Guests Daniel Kahneman and Colin Camerer, along with game show contestant Luis Green, discuss the psychology of decision-making in high-stakes situations like Deal or No Deal. Topics include framing decisions based on potential loss or gain, the reflection effect on preferences, and the influence of framing choices on decision-making.

Explore the impact of recent events on decision-making, from the 1968 US presidential election to medical procedures. Discover how 'October surprises' influenced the election and how recency bias affects physician decision-making. Learn strategies to avoid recency bias and make informed decisions.

Discover the truth behind common misconceptions like Vitamin C curing colds and bats being blind. Learn about the persistent misinformation surrounding MSG and the illusory truth effect with guests Jennifer LeMesurier and Tali Sharot. Explore how repeated exposure to information impacts belief and sharing, and uncover strategies for navigating online misinformation.