Hidden Brain

Uri Gneezy, an economist from UC San Diego, uncovers the fascinating world of incentives and their impact on behavior. He explains how well-intentioned rewards can sometimes backfire, like the unintended consequences seen in China’s Great Sparrow Campaign. Delving into education and work, Gneezy discusses the balance between intrinsic motivation and targeted incentives. He also highlights the dark side of performance incentives, exemplified by the Wells Fargo scandal, urging a reevaluation of how we frame and implement these motivation strategies.

Join economist John List, renowned for his insights into decision-making, as he examines the fine line between perseverance and stubbornness. He discusses the importance of knowing when to pivot instead of simply pushing through, addressing the emotional complexities of quitting and navigating career changes. List also shares personal stories that highlight how societal pressures influence our decisions and the significance of understanding when to let go for greater happiness. His fresh perspective challenges conventional wisdom about success.

We all have moments in our lives when we see someone who could use a helping hand. It could be a friend who recently went through a breakup, an elderly person trying to load groceries into their car, or a stranger on the street who looks a little lost. We tell ourselves we should help, but then something stops us. This week, psychologist Amit Kumar helps us understand what keeps us from taking a moment to be kind, and how to overcome these barriers to create stronger, happier connections. Have you ever had a moment when you blank out on your best friend's name, or forget the passcode to your phone? If you want to understand why, and how to improve your memory, be sure to check out last week's episode, Remember More, Forget Less. And for more Hidden Brain, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter! You can sign up at news.hiddenbrain.org. 

Daniel Willingham, a cognitive scientist, dives deep into the fascinating world of memory. He discusses how memory functions and the common reasons it fails us, including the illusion of knowledge. Willingham explores effective strategies for retaining information, emphasizing the power of storytelling and engagement. He highlights the difference between passive and active learning, and provides practical techniques to enhance memory recall. With relatable anecdotes, he reveals how understanding memory can improve our everyday lives.

It used to be that we tried our best to conceal disadvantages, hardships, and humiliations. But new research explores a curious shift: some people are flaunting limitations that don't exist. This week, we talk to psychologists Karl Aquino and Jillian Jordan about the strange phenomenon of wanting to seem worse off than we really are.Think back to the last time you tried to win an argument. What could you have done to bolster your case? Check out our recent episode "Less is More" for helpful strategies. And if you like our work, please consider supporting it! See how you can help at support.hiddenbrain.org.  

Damon Centola, a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania and author of "Change," delves into the fascinating world of social contagion. He discusses why some ideas and movements, like the Black Lives Matter movement, gain traction while others fail. The conversation reveals the significant role of social networks in amplifying messages and the impact of 'super spreaders' in shaping public perception. Centola shares insights into the dynamics of historical movements and the emotional barriers that affect how complex behaviors spread.

At every stage of life, there are moments when we need buy-in from other people. Yet most of us make a fundamental error when we try to persuade others to see things our way. This week, we talk with Niro Sivanathan of the London Business School about how to make a convincing argument. Then, we learn about what happens to our brains and bodies when we're the recipients of information. Bryan McLaughlin of Texas Tech University shares why it's so hard, but so important, to unplug from the news. Have you ever wondered where the concept of implicit bias comes from? Be sure to check out our recent series, "Revealing Your Unconscious." You can find part 1 here and part 2 here. And if you like Hidden Brain, please consider supporting the show. Thanks!

When James and Donovan first met, they knew little about each other, except that Donovan had stolen James' bike. Donovan got caught, and spent a month in jail. It was a story with a happy ending, as far as James was concerned. But then he found out, nearly a decade later, what happened to Donovan after his conviction. This week on the show, we look at the unexpected aftermath of a crime, and what happens when adversaries meet in conversation instead of a courtroom.Have you ever wondered whether you have beliefs that might be hidden from your conscious mind? Be sure to check out our recent series on implicit bias — you can find the first episode here. And if you like our work, please consider supporting it! See how you can help at support.hiddenbrain.org.  

Stories help us make sense of the world, and can even help us heal from trauma. They also shape our cultural narratives, for better and for worse. This week, we revisit a favorite 2021 conversation with psychologist Ryan Brown, who explores the phenomenon of “honor culture” and how it dictates our beliefs and behaviors.Did you catch our two-part series on implicit bias? You can find part one part one here and part two here. And if you'd like to make a financial contribution to support our work, you can do so here. Thanks!

In the second part of our series on implicit bias, we explore the relationship between beliefs and behaviors. We also talk with psychologist Mahzarin Banaji about whether research on implicit bias tells us more about groups than it does about individuals.To learn more:Project ImplicitOutsmarting Implicit BiasHow do your beliefs about the world shape your reality, and your well-being? Be sure to listen to our recent episode about primal world beliefs for insights on that question. And if you enjoy our work, please consider supporting it. Thanks!