Cognitations

Most actions humans take are social in nature. If they are not directly geared towards affecting others behaviors and thoughts, they are at least likely to have some impact on their lives. One can wonder if there is something special in one’s mind that determines the behaviors that are oriented towards others. After all, we do colloquially talk of social skills or social intelligence. So, what is so special about social behaviors? Another domain that makes the question painfully apparent is that of progress requiring collective action. Indeed, why are we so reliably capable of learning a difficult new skill, or getting a job, caring for our family – which are examples of things that require much practice and commitment – and why, at the same time, are we seeing large-scale inaction regarding climate change? How can the cognitive scientist explain this? What are the cognitive, neural and environmental determinants of our social capacities? What motivates us in our social lives? Today's guest is the person to answer these questions, or at least some of them…  Coralie Chevalier,  a behavioral scientist at the Institut Jean-Nicod. After having done her PhD at University College London, she did multiple postdocs at the Center for Autism Research at the University of Pennsylvania, King’s College’s institute of psychiatry. During her career she has worked on many topics, both fundamental and applied: autism, social motivation, grit, climate change policy, and much more…   Credits: Interview: Tanay Katiyar and Jay Richardson Artwork: Ella Bergru Editing: Matthieu Fraticelli Music: Thelma Samuel and Robin Baradel Communication: Tanay Katiyar

Nancy Kanwisher, a leading cognitive neuroscientist at MIT, reveals the fascinating architecture of the mind. She discusses how brain injuries have illuminated the localization of mental functions and the implications for cognitive diversity. The conversation delves into face recognition, autism, and the modularity of cognitive faculties. Kanwisher emphasizes the connection between human cognition and artificial intelligence, showcasing how deepening our understanding of the brain can reshape our perspective on cognition and atypical behaviors.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Sam Wilkinson, a senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of Exeter, dives into the complexities of mental health and the concept of normality. He challenges traditional notions of mental disorders, proposing that recent cognitive science advancements can redefine irrational behaviors. Wilkinson explores predictive processing and its effects on perception and emotions, while also highlighting the importance of philosophy in psychiatry. He calls for a broader understanding of mental health that acknowledges cultural influences and the intricate nature of cognition.

A defining feature of us humans is that we continuously adapt to our environments in order to thrive. One key component of this process is ‘learning’ the contingencies of our environment. Since the 19th century, this phenomenon has been studied under the moniker of “conditioning”, and is usually associated with Pavlov and his famed dogs. Despite the fact that this seems trivial to many today with regard to dogs and other animals, and that we cannot assume that humans, with their complex mental lives merely act with the prospect of a reward, the basic idea behind these principles has enjoyed increasing success when applied to the study of the mind. This prompts the following questions: what influence does reward and punishment have on our behaviour? How do the decisions we make based on these principles tie into collective action and economic activity? How do they influence the ways in which we think? Today’s guest, Stefano Palminteri, is the person to answer all of these questions, or at least some of them… He is research director (full professor) and heads the Human Reinforcement Learning team at the cognitive and computational neuroscience laboratory situated at the ENS. Alongside his research, he teaches a course on neuroeconomics. Previously, he studied Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and cognitive neuroscience before holding various post-doctoral positions in Paris, Trento and London. He is also a member of the European Laboratory of Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) Society and the Cercle FSER. He has recently wongrants to work on the dynamics of decision-making, learning and the effects of memory on these processes Credits: Interview: Tanay Katiyar and Jay Richardson Artwork: Ella Bergru Editing: Rohan Chowdhury Music: Thelma Samuel and Robin Baradel Communication: Tanay Katiyar

Frédérique de Vignemont, a CNRS senior researcher and philosophy scholar in residence at NYU Paris, dives into the intricate relationship between our bodies and experiences. She explores the significance of bodily awareness and its impact on self-consciousness. The discussion includes her insights on animal self-awareness, the interplay of pain and body perception, and the fascinating rubber hand illusion. De Vignemont also addresses how the pandemic reshaped our sense of space and emphasizes the importance of validating patient experiences in the context of bodily illness.

Culture is everywhere: it includes art, the dissemination of theories and of social norms, customs, the food we cook and eat, and so on. Culture also seems to be what distinguishes different communities, families, or entire countries and continents. Is it possible to explain such heterogeneous and complex phenomena? Can we identify the cognitive, environmental or social factors that underlie the spread of practices, norms and ideas? What is it that allows certain traditions to survive and develop, sometimes for hundreds or thousands of years? Olivier Morin is a tenured CNRS researcher at the Jean Nicod Institute, Paris. Previously, he lead a project at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena. He has published a book, How Traditions Live and Die, along with many articles on the topics of writings systems, social cognition, its evolution, its development, communication, and much more. Credits: Interview: Thomas Beuchot and Jay Richardson Artwork: Ella Bergru Editing: Rohan Chowdhury Music: Thelma Samuel and Robin Baradel Communication: Guillaume Coudriet

Hugo Mercier, a cognitive scientist at the Institut Jean Nicod, dives deep into the evolutionary roots of reasoning and its role in enhancing social interactions. He challenges traditional views by emphasizing reasoning's social function and its impact on collective intelligence. The discussion touches on biases in reasoning, the challenges in developing artificial general intelligence, and the importance of epistemic vigilance in today's misinformation landscape. Mercier also explores how expertise influences reasoning and the need for diverse viewpoints to enrich our understanding.