Our guest this week, Alexa Ruel, is completing her PhD in Psychology at Concordia University. Her research is focused on decision-making, making decisions about decisions and how that process changes across the lifespan. ALSO, for the first time ever we're joined by a high school student! Allegra is a bright eighth grader who sneaks insightful questions into the discussion throughout the episode, and keeps us accessible! You don't want to miss this (or any) episode!
Tune in for Answers to Questions Like...
How do we make decisions (about decisions)?
How does decision-making change across the lifespan?
How do our internal and external environments affect our decision-making?
What is the role of memory in decision-making?
Which brain regions are involved in making decisions?
and many, many, many more!
Topics & Concepts
Infant Cognition
Decision-Making Across the Lifespan
Adolescence vs. Old Age
Decisions vs. Choices
Cost Benefit Analysis
Internal vs. External Environment
Aging Mindsets
Memory
Hormones
Alexa's Lab
Model-Based vs. Model-Free
Model Deterioration
The Decision-Making System
Experimental Design: Neural Activity & EEG
Cognitive Effort & Mental Fatigue
Alexa's Article: https://www.concordia.ca/cunews/offices/vprgs/sgs/public-scholars-21/2021/05/13/deciding-what-to-decide-is-no-easy-task.html
My New Audio Course on Listenable: The Secret Life of Words https://listenable.io/web/courses/402/the-secret-life-of-words/
Does free will exist? Maybe. Regardless, please share your cherished feedback with me at abstractcast@gmail.com!
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