Hidden Brain

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Are younger siblings more rebellious?
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Are younger siblings more rebellious?

Plus, how do you like your feedback?

Jan 13
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Are younger siblings more rebellious?
news.hiddenbrain.org

“I think it's easy for us to underestimate how much our trajectory in life is determined by the connections that we have in terms of friends and family.” – economist Matthew Jackson

BRAIN WAVES

  • Born to be mild. You might have heard of the “born to rebel” hypothesis. It suggests that later-born siblings are more likely than first-borns to develop personality traits that challenge the status quo. A new study aimed to test this hypothesis by looking at a longstanding symbol of rebelliousness: tattoos. From a sample of later-born folks in the UK and Poland, the researchers analyzed personality traits like openness, risk-taking, sensation-seeking, and need for uniqueness. They also asked those people if they had a tattoo. The researchers did find that “tattooed individuals had higher risk-taking, sensation-seeking, and need for uniqueness.” Birth order, however, was not a predictor of having tattoos. (Furthermore, later-born people had a lower need for uniqueness.) Overall, the study seemed to debunk the “born to rebel” hypothesis.

  • Feedback sandwich? I’m not hungry. If you’ve ever given feedback, you might have used the sandwich approach: say something nice, deliver the criticism, then say something nice again. But does it work? A study looked at this and other approaches for delivering feedback and criticism. It found that people don’t necessarily care how feedback is given, but other research suggests that they do pay attention to the interpersonal skills of the person offering that feedback. “People want input from someone who is genuine, engaging, kind, and clear,” said study author Summer Bottini.

  • What do you really want? We all have to make choices in life, such as where to live and how to earn a living. Parents and peers influence our major life choices, but they can also steer us in directions that leave us deeply unsatisfied. There are things we can do, though, to make sure our choices align with our deepest values.

ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST

Jan 9:  If you think about the people in your life, it's likely that they share a lot in common with you. Maybe they like the same kinds of food, or enjoy the same hobbies. But, if you dig a little deeper, you may find that they share much more: they might make the same amount of money as you, or share the same race. This week, we talk with economists Luigi Pistaferri and Matthew Jackson about why we often surround ourselves with people who are just like us — and how we can transform our lives by pushing back against this phenomenon.

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ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST

Jan 11: Todd recalls the classmate in middle school who stepped up to offer support when no one else would.

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Don’t forget to send us the story of your unsung hero! Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.

MIND GAMES

Sam's mother has four children:

April, May, June, and ...

What is the name of the fourth child?

LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

What is 3/7 chicken, 2/3 cat, and 2/4 goat?

The answer: Chicago

FROM THE TWITTERATI…

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WilliAMnot, Esq. @Not_Willliam
Best podcast on the internets.
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Hidden Brain @HiddenBrain
Across the world, wealth inequality is a growing concern. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Policymakers spend countless hours debating answers. This week, we look at one source of rising inequality – and one possible solution. https://t.co/XhKAnDCZR8
2:36 PM ∙ Jan 10, 2023
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Pilate Hottie @longlivelaii
Oh I have been waiting for this episode for a very long time. Can’t wait to listen!
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What do you want to be when you grow up? We’re asked this question all the time as children. When we finally become adults, we sometimes still don’t know the answer. This week, the psychology of figuring out what to do with your life. https://t.co/KjNwS4l55Z
5:21 PM ∙ Jan 3, 2023
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Since 2015, @HiddenBrain has been helping us understand unconscious patterns that drive our behavior. 🧠💡 In its most recent series, Relationships 2.0, dive into what makes a relationship thrive and how to avoid conflict or loneliness. apple.co/HiddenBrain
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5:39 PM ∙ Dec 26, 2022
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A MOMENT OF JOY

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Find us wherever you get your podcasts, and...in Times Square! 🤩🥰 Big thanks to @amazonmusic and @PlayMorePods for featuring us on some of the coolest real estate around.
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8:14 PM ∙ Jan 6, 2023
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Have an idea for Hidden Brain? A story you want to share with us? Send an email to ideas@hiddenbrain.org. And if you’d like to support our work, you can do so here. Listen to us on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform.

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