Cognitations

For ages, we've pictured our ancestors as living in small, equal societies, sharing everything around campfires without bosses. Think of popular ideas like the "noble savage" or "primitive communism." But what if that picture is wrong? New research in this century challenges these old ideas, suggesting our deep past was far more diverse than we ever imagined. So, what was social life really like for our ancestors? How does this new understanding reshape what we know about human cognition and culture? Are there any true human universals? Today’s guest is the person to answer these questions, or at least some of them..He is Manvir Singh. Manvir is an assistant professor at the department of anthropology at the University of California, Davis. His research program investigates human behavior, focusing on the origins and nature of widespread sociocultural traditions like shamanism, witchcraft, storytelling, and music. He achieves this by integrating evolutionary, cognitive, and sociocultural methods and theories within his research group. Previously, he pursued a PhD in Human Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University, post-which he was a research fellow at the Institute of Advanced Study in Toulouse. He's also a contributor to The New Yorker and has just had a book come out: Shamanism - The Timeless Religion.Media Recommendations:Shamanism: The Timeless Religion Boiling Energy: Community Healing Among the Kalahari !KungThe Falling SkyThe Catalpa BowThe Lifeways of Hunter-Gatherers: The Foraging SpectrumCredits:Interview: Tanay Katiyar and Jay RichardsonEditing: Tanay KatiyarCommunication: Tanay KatiyarMusic: Thelma Samuel and Robin BaradelArtwork: Ella BergruThis episode is sponsored by the ⁠The European Human Behaviour and Evolution Association (EHBEA)

Dan Sperber, French cognitive anthropologist and philosopher who co-developed relevance theory, explains how communication elicits expectations that guide attention and interpretation. He challenges encoding-decoding models and explores pragmatics, ostension, attention costs, epistemic vigilance, and why certain signals spread across cultures. Short, sharp takes on why we find some messages irresistible.

Mark Dyble, an Assistant Professor of evolutionary anthropology at the University of Cambridge, dives into the intriguing evolution of leisure time from hunter-gatherer societies to modern life. He discusses how our ancestors likely enjoyed more free time compared to today's work-centric culture and examines the shift to farming, which dramatically reduced leisure hours. Dyble also shares insights from his research on the Akta foragers in the Philippines and the ecological implications of time management, offering a fresh perspective on human behavior and social dynamics.

Daniel Pressnitzer, Director of Research at CNRS and head of the Audition team at the École normale supérieure, explores the fascinating world of auditory perception. He discusses the unique adaptations of hearing across species and dives into neuroplasticity, explaining how our brains adapt based on sound experiences. The intriguing shepherd tone illusion exemplifies the psychology of sound interpretation. Pressnitzer also highlights advancements in hearing aid technology, illustrating the importance of collaboration in enhancing auditory experiences.

In our episode with Amy Orben, we discussed a big problem in the research on how social media potentially affects mental health. That is, a lot of studies ask really vague, broad questions. For instance, asking 'What is social media doing to our mental health?' is like asking 'How does food affect young people’s health?' To really answer the latter question, we need to get more specific—are we talking about junk food or vegetables? And what about the kid’s health history, like if they have diabetes? Some researchers think that using well-established theories from cognitive science can solve this problem by helping us ask better, more precise questions about social media. They also think it could lead to new ways of studying it (beyond self-reported screen time) and potentially offer novel policy insights. So, what are these ideas from cognitive science? What new methods can we use? And how could they change things at the policy level? Our guests today are here to help answer those questions—or at least some of them...Georgia Turner is a third-year PhD student in the Digital Mental Health Group, supervised by Amy Orben at the University of Cambridge. In her PhD, she aims to understand why we feel we lose control of our technology use. To do so, she uses methods from computational neuroscience on real-world datasets such as Twitter and smartphone recordings. As an undergraduate at Cambridge, Georgia studied Philosophy for two years before switching to Natural Sciences. She then completed a masters in neuroscience in London (UCL) and Paris (Sorbonne and ENS).Lukas Gunschera is a second-year PhD student in the Digital Mental Health Group, supervised by Amy Orben at the University of Cambridge. He is interested in the cognitive mechanisms linking social media use and mental health. In his research, he uses a combination of computational, longitudinal, and experimental approaches to examine the processes driving the effects of social media use. Before starting his PhD, Lukas completed an MSc in Psychological Research at the University of Amsterdam, and a BSc in Psychology at the Radboud University.Credits:Interview: Tanay KatiyarArtwork: Ella BergruEditing: Jay RichardsonMusic: Thelma Samuel and Robin BaradelCommunication: Tanay Katiyar

In this discussion, Amy Orben, a leading expert from the University of Cambridge on digital mental health, delves into the impact of social media on teens. She breaks down how constant online engagement affects their mental health, stressing the dual nature of social media as both a risk and a tool for connection. Orben also emphasizes the need for critical evaluation of technology’s role in society and offers parental guidance for managing screen time, encouraging open communication to support healthy development.

Jennifer Nagel, a philosophy professor at the University of Toronto, dives into the intricate relationship between knowledge, communication, and curiosity. She explores how our understanding of knowledge shapes social interactions and the importance of context in conversations. Nagel discusses the nuances of justified true belief, critiques traditional epistemological views, and highlights how language reflects our certainty. The podcast also touches on the role of self-reflection in knowledge sharing and the significance of genuine dialogue in effective communication.

In this enlightening discussion, Jacob Beck, a Research Chair at York University, delves into the intricate psychology of animal minds. He challenges the notion of anthropomorphism, questioning if our perceptions of animal emotions are accurate. The conversation highlights how species like chimpanzees and desert ants exhibit cognitive abilities, such as understanding numbers and navigation. Beck discusses the complexities of comparative psychology, exploring how language influences our interpretation of non-human cognition. His insights provoke deep reflection on our connection with animals.

In this update episode, Tanay and Jay reflect on the journey so far and some special guests crash the show...

In this engaging discussion, Daniel Nettle, a behavioral scientist with a rich background in psychology and anthropology, explores the intricate links between depression and poverty. He highlights how scarcity influences decision-making and how cultural contexts shape psychological behaviors. Nettle critiques traditional deficit models, urging a shift towards understanding social determinants of mental health. He advocates for structural reforms like Universal Basic Income to alleviate economic stress and bolster well-being, offering a fresh perspective on addressing these pressing societal issues.