Why Do We Like What We Like?

Acclaimed evolutionary psychologist Paul Bloom reveals how certain universal aspects of the human mind explain our curious desires, tastes and pleasures.

[TheWordsmythe]

"If you want to enjoy wine more, don't buy more expensive wine; learn about wine." I love that. 16:12

[evolutionschildren]

Yup, it's the Yale professor from the psychology lecture series. He gives great lectures. I feel like this talk helps illustrates the power of spin doctors and good story tellers.

[boomboom]

These RSA videos have made me become so much more interested in psychology.

[martinbeco]

Our likes are subjective. That's why advertising is still around. We seldom turn to reason for our shopping habits. It's all rather emotional.

[ScorpiaX]

Love these videos. Even if its about placebo, he also looks like the guy teaching Yale Courses online.

[ferdi]

yet another great presentation!!! well done

[furrosama]

What we believe to be malevolent is more painful that not

[LimeyLassen]

I can't figure why evolutionary psychology gets such a bad rap. These guys really know their stuff!

[Abel_Makkonen_Tesfaye-]

because it Reminds us of a Certain Something

[mpcc]

I always feel odd or like a psychopath when I watch these things, because most things do not appeal to me in the same way as they do to other people. Everything is replaceable and I don't care about sentiment; I'm rarely not disillusioned by fame, and I don't care about tradition.  

[sofiiiabergqvist]

This is really interesting! I love RSA videos :D

[Kristopher-Law]

Hi the link no longer works to listen to the full thing, any idea where to find it?

[rawrrdolll]

I am probably the only 15 year old that takes there time out to watch RSA

[yeflynne]

counter-strike applies to this in so many ways; status, value, even when you're losing all the time just being able to play against those great players you're still experiencing pleasure

[Culturedropout]

One person who watched this video didn't realize they were drinking the same wine the whole time...

[sirmoglok]

i was bursting to spurt out an example while listening to them talk at the end. If you create a horror movie, and find a way to lie to everyone that it was made in the 80's by murderous psychopaths, then there will be lots of people that want to see it. I guess they do things like that already to a small extent, when they use 'based on a true story' (blair witch for example) or when it contains 'video footage of real parts of that story'

[OriginalTexcalibur]

I enjoyed the presentation but disagree with the Shakespeare. Shakespeare's comment never includes the concept of intent. His entire presentation he covered very well how perception had bearing on information processing, reward/pleasure, and even "intent" in the electro-shock" experiments. Shakespeare's quote does not cover this aspect of perception because it ignores "The Golden Rule" when it is applied to intent. But, please don't think I didn't enjoy this because I am sharing it :D

[Dmanfp]

Good video poor title. Should be more "quality versus expectations", over why exactly we like what we like

[quietthomas]

What's the deal with the icons at the end (19:10) Creative Commons, Male Toilet, no money, equality.

[purpmusix]

@TheDepreso If you find him annoying then you may aswell forget everything you know about the last 50 years olf natural history. Can't have your cake AND eat it.