Behind the Mind: The Science of Bias

Welcome to Behind the Mind! I’m a student who researches neuroscience and can explain in less than 4 minutes why our minds can make silly mistakes and how you can avoid them. Discover the inner workings of your mind, fast and easy. Hit subscribe for quick insights! 🧠

Episode 43: Thinking Outside The Box: How to Think Like an Inventor

Have you ever watched MacGyver? And have you ever wanted to be more like him? And how might the problem relate to the saying “When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail”?   In less than 4 minutes, learn how to master the generic parts technique.

06-11
03:54

Episode 42: Starstruck: When We Choose Jackpots over Judgment

Have you ever found yourself worrying about a rare disease after reading a sensational news story, or buying a lottery ticket only because of the jackpot amount? Or maybe you’ve had a 99% chance of success and worried about that 1%?   In less than 4 minutes, learn how to become more fearless.

06-02
03:57

Episode 41: Stuck in Place: Why We Prefer Things to Stay the Same

Have you ever wondered why you keep ordering the same dish at your favorite restaurant, even when you’re tempted to try something new? Or why companies sometimes stick with outdated technology, even when better options exist? In less than four minutes, learn why we're not constantly improving ourselves.

04-16
03:47

Episode 40: Ignorance is Bliss: Why Knowledge Doesn’t Always Make You More Insightful

You often hear the question “Do we live in a simulation?” More importantly, is it even worth asking?   In less than 4 minutes, learn how to make more streamlined decisions.

01-22
04:02

Episode 39: Win-Win or Lose-Lose? Understanding the Zero-Sum Bias

Does the jack of all trades really have to be master of none? Does being friends with more people mean you have weaker connections with each? What’s the science behind sibling rivalry?   In less than 4 minutes, understand how pies and friendships may or may not be comparable.

11-24
03:33

Episode 38: Not Me! Why We Think We’re Immune to Media

Secretly, we all think we would be able to outsmart being influenced by messages that would affect the average person, as if we’re some sort of superhero that could resist a potent brainwashing ray. But is reality really like fiction?   In less than 4 minutes, learn how to really be resistant to these messages.

08-19
03:22

Episode 37: The Science Behind “Less is More”

We all have heard of the sayings “comparison is the thief of joy”, “quality over quantity”, and “less is more”, but what if science could connect these three sayings together and back them up?   In less than 4 minutes, discover the science behind sayings.

08-13
03:43

Episode 36: Hidden Failures and How to Reveal Them

What if the success stories we celebrate are just the tip of the iceberg? How many people fail for every one person that succeeds? And what if this is blocking our real understanding of a situation?   In less than 4 minutes, learn how to avoid one of the most elusive statistical mistakes.

08-08
03:35

Episode 35: Making Decisions in the Age of AI

Since AI has started to further and further develop, the most crucial question has been: how much should society be relying on AI? Many also worry that AI is going to be replacing many jobs, but is it less prone to mistakes than humans?   In less than 4 minutes, learn how to make the best of AI.

07-29
03:37

Episode 34: How to Bring Good Changes Into Your Life With the Status Quo Bias

When was the last time you changed your morning routine? Are you missing out on better options? Or are you rejecting upgrades in your life without even knowing it?   In less than 4 minutes, figure out why you do things the way you've always been doing them.

05-12
03:29

Episode 33: How to Read Your Pet’s Mind With Anthropomorphism

Can you really accurately read animal expressions? When they copy your actions and habits, are they mocking you or admiring you? Do we really know our pets as well as we think?   In less than 4 minutes, learn why your pets act they way they do.

05-06
03:47

Episode 32: How to Be More Humble With the Dunning-Kruger Effect

How much of an impact can our egos have? Will you ever be able to beat a chess grandmaster? And why do so many men believe they can beat a professional woman athlete at her own game?    In less than four minutes, learn how to better understand your abilities.

04-03
03:39

Episode 31: How to Make the Better Choice With the Omission Bias

Imagine two people, one of which lives in a country where you must opt out of being an organ donor, and another where you must opt in. The first person chooses to opt out of this program, while the second doesn’t opt in. Which is worse? Is one person less moral? In less than 4 minutes, learn how doing nothing is doing something.

03-03
03:09

Episode 30: How to Predict Things More Accurately With the Hindsight Bias

Why do people say they knew the winner of the election would win from the beginning? Why do sports commentators say they knew the winning team would win all along? Why do we say “hindsight is 20/20”?    In less than 4 minutes, learn how to be a better forecaster.

02-11
03:40

Episode 29: How to Think Independently With the Default Effect

Why do we agree to email subscriptions? What are the benefits of a public social media account? Are you an organ donor?   In less than four minutes, you can discover how easily you can be influenced.

01-13
03:33

Episode 28: How to Argue Better With the Belief Bias

Why is it hard to objectively judge an argument for something we disagree with? Is it harder for arguments we do believe in? And do we focus more on the thought process or the outcome?   In less than four minutes, discover a better way to get your point through to others.

01-07
03:52

Episode 27: How to Win Every Board Game With the Gambler's Fallacy

Imagine you’re playing a board game with your friends that involves rolling a die. So far, your friend has rolled the die a dozen times and it has not yielded a six yet. They claim, “One sixth of die rolls are a six, so I’m definitely due to roll a six or two soon!” Are they right?   In less than four minutes, discover one of the biggest mistakes we make on probability.

12-29
03:48

Episode 26: How To Understand Others With the Trait Ascription Bias

Why did every high school class seem to have an assigned class clown? Why might someone be described as “always happy” even when that’s near impossible? What do archetypes in literature reveal about how we perceive others?   In less than four minutes, learn how to grasp how complex people are.

12-10
03:32

Episode 25: How to Save Money and Time With the Sunk Cost Fallacy

Why do some people stay in relationships simply because of how long they’ve been together? Why might someone keep pursuing a major they are no longer interested in? What is a bias that can make us prone to scams?   In less than four minutes, discover how to become more efficient.

11-25
04:07

Episode 24: How To Open Your Mind With the Backfire Effect

Why are anti-vaxxers so adamant in their position? Why might some parents strengthen their parenting style when offered evidence for other kinds? Why do people leave some arguments with a stronger opinion than before?   In less than four minutes, learn how to accept truths with open arms.

11-13
03:36

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