“The brain is trying to set up a model of the world that lets it predict what's going to happen next.” — Norm Farb
BRAIN WAVES
What are your intentions? As we age, our moral compass seems to shift, specifically when it comes to judging others’ intentions. In a study, researchers presented people with two scenarios, one in which a person meant to cause harm but didn’t succeed, and another where a person accidentally caused harm to someone. The volunteers were then asked to judge the perpetrator in each scenario. The study found that when making moral judgments, older people focused more on a person’s intentions and cut more slack to those who caused harm accidentally. In other words, the older we get, the more motives seem to matter.
Trust me. People in powerful positions have significant influence over our lives. So what makes us trust them? As a new study points out, many countries are experiencing an eroding sense of trust in their leaders. The study poses the question: what makes it likely, then, that people are willing to spontaneously trust a powerholder they barely know? In one experiment, researchers had volunteers read and evaluate speeches from a political leader. In another, they had participants eavesdrop on a staged conversation in which someone described their new leadership position at work. Overall, the researchers found that when leaders emphasized their power in terms of responsibility, rather than opportunity, people were more likely to trust them. Uncle Ben was right.
The road to hell. Our minds have a tendency to get accustomed to things. In our daily lives, this means we take wonderful things for granted. How can we see the world with fresh eyes? Listen to learn more.
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
Changing Our Mental Maps: As we move through the world, It’s easy to imagine we’re processing everything that happens around us and then deciding how to respond. But psychologist and neuroscientist Norman Farb says our brains actually navigate the world by coming up with mental maps. These maps act like an autopilot system, allowing us to navigate our lives more efficiently. But sometimes, they can lead us astray, leaving us stuck on a path of negativity and unhappiness. This week, we talk with Norman Farb about how we can update our internal maps and see the world around us more clearly.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
Lilah Clevey’s Story: After getting into a car crash, Lilah was comforted by someone unexpected.
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.
HIDDEN BRAIN+ IS EXPANDING!
We’re excited to share that Hidden Brain+ is now available across devices and platforms. Hidden Brain+ is the place where our biggest fans can find new episodes of the show that aren’t available anywhere else. These episodes include brand-new topics, along with segments where we pose your questions to our most popular guests.
There are now two ways to join Hidden Brain+. The first is to sign up via our Patreon page at support.hiddenbrain.org. From there, you can listen on Patreon or on the podcast player of your choice. Another option if you’re an iPhone or iPad user is to sign up on Apple Podcasts. To do so, find Hidden Brain on that app and click the “try free” button, or visit apple.co/hiddenbrain. Your podcast subscription helps us to make new episodes of the show, and we greatly appreciate your support!
MIND GAMES
A tree doubled in height each year until it reached its maximum height over the course of ten years. How many years did it take for the tree to reach half its maximum height?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
What five-letter word typed in all capital letters can be read the same upside down?
Answer: SWIMS
A MOMENT OF JOY
Have an idea for Hidden Brain? A story you want to share with us? Send an email to ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Listen to us on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform.