JTaggart on Nostr: # Summary of How Hormones & Status Shape Our Values & Decisions ｜ Dr. Michael Platt ...
# Summary of How Hormones & Status Shape Our Values & Decisions ｜ Dr. Michael Platt
Here are some key actionable takeaways from this part of the conversation:
1. Our brains have evolved to prioritize and amplify certain stimuli, like faces, movement, and social cues. Being aware of this can help us manage our attention more effectively.
2. We have limited attentional capacity, so removing distractions (like putting your phone in another room) can significantly improve focus and cognitive performance.
3. There may be benefits to practicing focused attention without external stimuli, like trying to maintain an internal train of thought. This could potentially strengthen attentional control.
4. Our brains seem to track "social accounts" of reciprocity in relationships. Being mindful of maintaining balance in give-and-take can help foster healthier relationships.
5. Humans unconsciously signal and perceive hormonal status through subtle cues like facial appearance. Being aware of this can provide insight into social/mating dynamics.
6. Our decision-making and valuation of things/people is heavily influenced by evolutionary factors related to status and reproduction. Understanding these biases can help us make more rational choices.
7. Pure altruism is rare - most giving behavior has some form of return, even if just feeling good. Recognizing this can help align our giving with our values and wellbeing.
8. Our brains process many things simultaneously and flexibly. Creating environments conducive to our goals (removing distractions, structuring social groups, etc.) can leverage this for productivity and wellbeing.
The overall theme is that understanding our evolutionary programming and cognitive biases allows us to work with them more effectively to achieve our goals and improve our lives.
Here are some key actionable takeaways from this conversation that could help improve one's life or effectiveness:
1. Be aware of how context and framing can influence decision making. Things like font size, brightness, etc. can subtly shape choices. Being mindful of this can help make more rational decisions.
2. Slow down and reduce arousal when making important decisions. Taking time to deliberate and not rushing leads to better choices.
3. Be cautious of high-pressure sales tactics or urgency from strangers. These are often signs of scams or manipulation.
4. Social influence is powerful - we tend to copy what others are doing, especially high status individuals. Be aware of how this might be shaping your choices.
5. Deep conversations and finding common ground can help bridge divides between people. Making time for meaningful dialogue is important.
6. Having a sense of purpose and engagement is important as we age. Consider "serial monogamy" in pursuits - diving deep into new areas over time rather than trying to do everything at once.
7. Physical activity, social connection, and eating natural foods seem to promote health and longevity based on studies of hunter-gatherer societies. Incorporating these elements can be beneficial.
8. Being aware of our evolutionary heritage and how it shapes behavior can provide insight into our tendencies and biases.
9. Intentionally directing attention to positive aspects of life may increase happiness and satisfaction.
10. Having a long-term perspective while also appreciating each day can provide a healthy balance in life outlook and decision making.
Here are some key actionable takeaways from the transcript:
1. Consider your personal "time horizon" - whether you tend to focus more on short-term or long-term outcomes. This can impact decision-making and risk tolerance.
2. Understand that humans have different "decision modes" that operate on different timescales - from milliseconds to years. Being aware of these can help with self-control and long-term planning.
3. Recognize that people tend to synchronize their behaviors and even brain activity when part of a group or community. This can be leveraged for team building and social cohesion.
4. Be aware of how brand affiliations (like Apple vs. Samsung) can create strong in-group/out-group dynamics and influence behavior and neural responses.
5. Consider taking assessments beyond standard personality tests to better understand your cognitive strengths and optimal roles (e.g. creativity vs. strategy implementation).
6. Understand that empathy and social connections are linked to physical brain structures. Cultivating relationships may have neurological benefits.
7. Recognize how tribalism and in-group preferences can influence our empathy and responses to others, even at a neural level. Being aware of this bias can help counteract it.
8. Consider how your decisions and behaviors may be influenced by unconscious factors like hormones, neural activity, or group dynamics. Self-awareness in these areas can lead to more intentional choices.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAWUYuygS_U&t=1
Here are some key actionable takeaways from this part of the conversation:
1. Our brains have evolved to prioritize and amplify certain stimuli, like faces, movement, and social cues. Being aware of this can help us manage our attention more effectively.
2. We have limited attentional capacity, so removing distractions (like putting your phone in another room) can significantly improve focus and cognitive performance.
3. There may be benefits to practicing focused attention without external stimuli, like trying to maintain an internal train of thought. This could potentially strengthen attentional control.
4. Our brains seem to track "social accounts" of reciprocity in relationships. Being mindful of maintaining balance in give-and-take can help foster healthier relationships.
5. Humans unconsciously signal and perceive hormonal status through subtle cues like facial appearance. Being aware of this can provide insight into social/mating dynamics.
6. Our decision-making and valuation of things/people is heavily influenced by evolutionary factors related to status and reproduction. Understanding these biases can help us make more rational choices.
7. Pure altruism is rare - most giving behavior has some form of return, even if just feeling good. Recognizing this can help align our giving with our values and wellbeing.
8. Our brains process many things simultaneously and flexibly. Creating environments conducive to our goals (removing distractions, structuring social groups, etc.) can leverage this for productivity and wellbeing.
The overall theme is that understanding our evolutionary programming and cognitive biases allows us to work with them more effectively to achieve our goals and improve our lives.
Here are some key actionable takeaways from this conversation that could help improve one's life or effectiveness:
1. Be aware of how context and framing can influence decision making. Things like font size, brightness, etc. can subtly shape choices. Being mindful of this can help make more rational decisions.
2. Slow down and reduce arousal when making important decisions. Taking time to deliberate and not rushing leads to better choices.
3. Be cautious of high-pressure sales tactics or urgency from strangers. These are often signs of scams or manipulation.
4. Social influence is powerful - we tend to copy what others are doing, especially high status individuals. Be aware of how this might be shaping your choices.
5. Deep conversations and finding common ground can help bridge divides between people. Making time for meaningful dialogue is important.
6. Having a sense of purpose and engagement is important as we age. Consider "serial monogamy" in pursuits - diving deep into new areas over time rather than trying to do everything at once.
7. Physical activity, social connection, and eating natural foods seem to promote health and longevity based on studies of hunter-gatherer societies. Incorporating these elements can be beneficial.
8. Being aware of our evolutionary heritage and how it shapes behavior can provide insight into our tendencies and biases.
9. Intentionally directing attention to positive aspects of life may increase happiness and satisfaction.
10. Having a long-term perspective while also appreciating each day can provide a healthy balance in life outlook and decision making.
Here are some key actionable takeaways from the transcript:
1. Consider your personal "time horizon" - whether you tend to focus more on short-term or long-term outcomes. This can impact decision-making and risk tolerance.
2. Understand that humans have different "decision modes" that operate on different timescales - from milliseconds to years. Being aware of these can help with self-control and long-term planning.
3. Recognize that people tend to synchronize their behaviors and even brain activity when part of a group or community. This can be leveraged for team building and social cohesion.
4. Be aware of how brand affiliations (like Apple vs. Samsung) can create strong in-group/out-group dynamics and influence behavior and neural responses.
5. Consider taking assessments beyond standard personality tests to better understand your cognitive strengths and optimal roles (e.g. creativity vs. strategy implementation).
6. Understand that empathy and social connections are linked to physical brain structures. Cultivating relationships may have neurological benefits.
7. Recognize how tribalism and in-group preferences can influence our empathy and responses to others, even at a neural level. Being aware of this bias can help counteract it.
8. Consider how your decisions and behaviors may be influenced by unconscious factors like hormones, neural activity, or group dynamics. Self-awareness in these areas can lead to more intentional choices.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAWUYuygS_U&t=1