If thinking is unpleasant, what motivates us to do it?
Plus, a counterintuitive way to be happy
BRAIN WAVES
I think, therefore...ouch. We’d all like to believe we’re critical thinkers, but critical thinking isn’t easy. In a meta-analysis, researchers analyzed data from 170 studies conducted across 29 countries. They found that across all different types of tasks— equipment-testing tasks, virtual reality tasks, cognitive performance tasks —there was a link between mental effort and feelings like anxiety, anger, and sadness. “We suggest that mental effort is inherently aversive,” the researchers concluded. They mentioned something called the “mental effort paradox.” If mental effort is unpleasant, why do people pursue mentally effortful activities, like chess, for example? “Our preferred post hoc explanation is that high-mental-effort activities may be pleasant despite the effort, not because of it,” the researchers explained. In other words, there are often rewards associated with the effort, like socializing with friends or the satisfaction of completing a challenge. So if you describe yourself as a critical thinker, it’s probably not the effort itself that you enjoy, but the rewards and outcomes associated with it — the “aha” moment, maybe. “To return to our chess example, if the benefits of chess outweigh the costs, people may choose to play chess and even self-report that they enjoy chess,” the study read. “Crucially, we suggest that this does not imply that people enjoy the mental effort that is involved.” Checkmate.
Don't worry, be happy. If you remember our episode on the paradox of happiness, you know that the more we try to pursue happiness, the harder it can be to get. In a new study, researchers theorize that it’s not the pursuit of happiness itself that leads to unhappiness. Instead, it’s our concern over whether we’ve succeeded in that pursuit that, ironically, sparks unhappy feelings. The researchers explain that “being concerned about happiness leads people to judge their happiness, thereby infusing negativity... into potentially positive events, which, in turn, interferes with well-being.” If you’re on vacation, for example, constantly thinking about whether you’re enjoying yourself can keep you from actually enjoying yourself. Counterintuitively, you might be happier if you didn’t think about happiness so much. The study puts it this way: “concern and judgment about one’s happiness can undermine it.”
Remember me? It happens to the best of us: we blank on someone’s name, or forget an important meeting, or bomb a test we thought we’d ace. In this episode, the mysteries of memory: how it works, why it fails us, and how to build memories that stick. Listen to learn more.
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
Sitting With Uncertainty: It can sometimes be exciting when we don’t know what’s coming next. Other times, the unknown can be deeply troubling. This week, we talk with researcher Dannagal Goldthwaite Young about how we respond to uncertainty, and why this psychological trait plays a surprisingly large role in shaping our behavior, perspectives — even our political beliefs.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
Corey Widmer’s Story: When Corey’s car stalled in the middle of a busy intersection, he was surprised by who stepped up to help.
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
What has to be broken before you can use it?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
When you add these three numbers together, you get the same result as when you multiply the three numbers. What are these numbers?
Answer: 1, 2, and 3
A MOMENT OF JOY
This newly engaged couple, who might have some photos waiting for them.
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