Why Do We Seek Out Pain? | Yale Professor of Psychology Paul Bloom

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It seems obvious that pleasure leads to happiness – and pain does the opposite. And yet we are irresistibly drawn to a host of experiences that truly hurt, from the exhilarating fear of horror movies or extreme sport, to the wrenching sadness of a song or novel, to the gruelling challenges of exercise, work, creativity and having a family. Pre-eminent psychologist Paul Bloom explores the pleasures of suffering and explains why the activities that provide most satisfaction are often the ones that involve greatest sacrifice. He argues that embracing this truth is the key to a life well lived.

Paul Bloom is Professor of Psychology at University of Toronto and the Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Yale University. His research explores the psychology of morality, identity and pleasure. Bloom is the recipient of multiple awards and honours, including most recently the million-dollar Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize. He has written for scientific journals such as Nature and Science, and for the New York Times, New Yorker, Atlantic and Guardian. He is the author or editor of eight books, including Just Babies (on if babies are born good), How Pleasure Works, Descartes’ Baby and most recently Against Empathy. On YouTube, Paul has been featured on Big Think, YaleCourses (On Freud, Skinner, Sex, Language, thought development, differences, happiness, consciousness and many more),TED, Tom Bilyeu, The Atlantic, The New York Times, CBS News, Sam Harris, Skeptic, Chris Williamson and The Agenda with Steve Paikin.

Matthew Stadlen is a broadcaster, writer and regular How To Academy host. Previously he was an LBC presenter, wrote The Matthew Stadlen Interview for the Telegraph and presented the TV series Five Minutes With and On The Road With for the BBC. He is a birdwatcher and photographer, and his book How To See Birds is out now. Twitter: @matthewstadlen