The Hidden Brain
We Shouldn’t Stick Our Heads In The Sand, But We Do It Anyway
“… this ‘no spoilers’ mentality leaks in other parts of our lives. We avoid getting an important medical test done, fearing bad results. We turn off the news when the headlines make us upset, even though the information is pertinent to us. According to economist Joshua Tasoff, this behavior is irrational.”
Transcript link (Links to an external site.)
If you want to listen in iTunes, you can find it there as well under the Hidden Brain podcast.
The podcast discusses a surprising human tendency to want to avoid information that could potentially be negative. Please post a response in the discussion board to the following questions:
Some of the interventions we’ve discussed thus far focus on providing people information to get them to change health behaviors (for example to quit smoking or get more exercise). This podcast seems to suggest that sometimes simply providing information isn’t sufficient. Why?
What else could doctors, nurses, counselors or other health practitioners focus on when trying to help people make healthier choices? Think of a specific example where negative feedback is possible and consider a way to help people listen to or receive that information. The podcast uses the example of avoiding tests for cancer when the threat is particularly emotional but they don’t really propose a solution. As an example, you could offer a solution to that situation (but I encourage you to think of other possibilities as well).
Offer an extension to at least two of your classmate’s ideas or comments. For example, perhaps they came up with a great idea but you thought of something else that could be done in addition or maybe you disagree with your classmate’s approach but have thought of an alternative.