"Listening is much harder than [just] being silent” — Psychologist Guy Itzchakov
IN MEMORIAM
We were sad to learn about the passing of psychologist and Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, known for his groundbreaking work in behavioral economics and decision-making. His ideas informed many of the topics we’ve discussed on Hidden Brain, and we were lucky to have him as a guest on our show. Be sure to check out Monday’s podcast, where we’ll bring you a special remembrance episode about Kahneman and his work. In the meantime, here’s a fun moment between him and Shankar onstage at NPR in 2018.
BRAIN WAVES
You've got the power. You've heard the phrase “drunk with power,” and we’ve all known someone who wields their alpha status in a reckless way. But it turns out that a very different trait — self-control — plays a big role in how powerful we perceive someone to be. In a series of experiments, researchers looked at how various behaviors were associated with power. For example, in one experiment, people read an excerpt about a colleague who set a fitness goal for themselves. In one condition, the hypothetical colleague gave in to temptation and ate a big dessert; in another, they showed self-restraint. From there, volunteers were asked to rate how suitable they thought that person would be for a high-power role. Across all versions of this experiment, people seemed to equate self-control with power. The better someone could stick to their goal and avoid temptation, the more powerful they were seen to be. “This pattern held across a variety of goals in our experiments, including saving money, being healthy and reading books,” said co-author Pamela Smith. Who knew keeping your New Year’s resolution could be a power move?
More to learn. A beginner's perspective can be beneficial – novices can see problems that experts sometimes overlook. There’s also a related problem called “learned ignorance,” explains history professor Christopher M Bellitto. For Psyche, Bellitto writes, “The notion of learned ignorance recognises that there’s always something more to learn, which should make even the most accomplished expert humble.” When we assume we know everything about a subject, we miss out on opportunities to improve—and also to see things from a different perspective. The problem is, the more we learn about something, the harder it is to assume we know less than we think. The answer? Bellitto makes the case for cultivating a sense of humility.
Why communication is complicated. Do you ever struggle to communicate with your mom? Or feel like you and your spouse sometimes speak different languages? Linguist Deborah Tannen shows how our conversational styles can cause unintended conflicts, and what we can do to communicate more effectively with the people in our lives. Listen to learn more.
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
Are You Listening? Have you ever sat across from your spouse, colleague or friend and realized that while they may be hearing what you’re saying, they aren’t actually listening? Poor listening can lead to arguments, hurt feelings, and fractured relationships. But the good news is that active, thoughtful listening can profoundly benefit both people in the conversation. This week, psychologist Guy Itzchakov helps us understand where interactions go awry, and how to become a more attentive listener.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
Paix Auslander’s Story: When Paix moved to a new high school, he felt lost and alone. Then an older student said something that gave him a flash of hope.
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
I am your mother's brother's only brother-in-law. Who am I?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
Alice came across a lion and a unicorn in a forest of forgetfulness. The lion lies every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and the other days he speaks the truth. The unicorn lies on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The other days of the week he speaks the truth. “Yesterday I was lying,” the lion told Alice. “So was I,” said the unicorn. What day is it?
Answer: Thursday. The only day they both tell the truth is Sunday. But today can’t be Sunday because the lion also tells the truth on Saturday (yesterday). Going day by day, the only day one of them is lying and one of them is telling the truth with those two statements is Thursday. (source)
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Hidden Brain is now a game! Do you struggle to recognize people after you've met them? Do you like games and puzzles? If so, you should try Hidden Brain Daily Challenge, our new app available on Apple iOS! It features our very first game, designed to help improve your facial recognition skills. Check it out here.
A MOMENT OF JOY
The duo we didn’t know we needed...
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