ActInf Podcast

Scott David is the Director of the Information Risk Research Initiative at the University of Washington Applied Physics Lab, focusing on active inference. He discusses integrating Cybernetic Big Five Theory with the Free Energy Principle, emphasizing how context and goals redefine personality traits. The conversation dives into the role of emotional factors across living systems, exploring empathy in corporations and evolutionary biology. David also examines how generative models and environmental perceptions shape stability and change in personality.

Colin DeYoung, a Professor at the University of Minnesota and expert in personality psychology, dives into the intricate world of the Cybernetic Big Five Theory and the Free Energy Principle. They explore how individual personality traits can shape team dynamics and even suggest the concept of a collective personality. Discussions also include the role of phenotypes in animal colonies and how they relate to human personality traits. DeYoung emphasizes the complexity of measuring personality, challenging established frameworks with insights from nature.

In a riveting discussion, Adam Saffron, a postdoctoral researcher, and Colin DeYoung, a psychology professor, delve into the Cybernetic Big Five Theory and its relation to the Free Energy Principle. They explore how trauma and meditation reshape our personalities and coping strategies, comparing human behavior to that of ant colonies. Marco Lin joins to highlight meditation's role in fostering flexibility during crises. Insights on balancing mindfulness and personal growth emphasize non-attachment and resilience in navigating life's complexities.

Dive into the fascinating intersection of Cybernetic Big Five Theory and the Free Energy Principle in personality modeling. Explore how our environments shape personality traits, particularly through the lens of childhood experiences. Delve into the significant impact of trauma and PTSD, revealing connections to emotional stability and sensitivity. Discover the dynamic nature of personality in response to external disturbances, and learn how therapeutic interventions can shift traits and coping mechanisms. It's a captivating journey through complex systems and human behavior!

Adam Safran, a postdoctoral researcher specializing in active inference modeling, joins the conversation to dive into the fascinating relationship between personality and complex systems. They discuss how the Cybernetic Big Five Theory integrates with the Free Energy Principle, highlighting the roles of culture and environment in personality formation. Safran emphasizes the genetic and environmental interplay in shaping behavior, and how neurophenomenology can inform therapeutic practices. The chat also covers individual traits' real-world implications and the differences between self-reported and third-party personality assessments.

This excerpt was clipped from a discussion of Hesp et al 2020 “Sophisticated Affective Inference: Simulating Anticipatory Affective Dynamics of Imagining Future Events." Complete live stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx9yAF607ko&list=PLNm0u2n1Iwdoe-4Be7frRpvBQ0q7yhnBV&index=124

This excerpt was clipped from a discussion of Hesp et al 2020 “Sophisticated Affective Inference: Simulating Anticipatory Affective Dynamics of Imagining Future Events." Complete live stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx9yAF607ko&list=PLNm0u2n1Iwdoe-4Be7frRpvBQ0q7yhnBV&index=124

This excerpt was clipped from a discussion of Hesp et al 2020 “Sophisticated Affective Inference: Simulating Anticipatory Affective Dynamics of Imagining Future Events." Complete live stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCqavxpiw44

This excerpt was clipped from a discussion of Hesp et al 2020 “Sophisticated Affective Inference: Simulating Anticipatory Affective Dynamics of Imagining Future Events." Complete live stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCqavxpiw44    

This excerpt was clipped from a discussion of Albarracin et al 2021 “A Variational Approach to Scripts." Complete live stream here: https://youtu.be/IGKUS1W25rY