How to Make Better Decisions | Dr. Michael Platt

My guest is Dr. Michael Platt, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. We discuss how our hormones and social status influence what we value and how we make decisions across various areas, from whom and what we find attractive to our political affiliations. We also explore how humans evaluate and exchange power in relationships and how our perceived place in a hierarchy impacts decision-making. Dr. Platt also shares new science-based tools for improving focus, creativity, and attention.

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*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Dr. Michael Platt
00:02:12 Humans, Old World Primates & Decision-Making; Swiss Army Knife Analogy
00:07:52 Sponsors: Our Place & Wealthfront
00:11:01 Attention Allocation, Resource Foraging
00:16:40 Social Media; Marginal Value Theorem, Distraction
00:22:22 Tool: Remove Phone from Room; Attention & Urgency
00:25:23 Tool: Self Conversation; Visual Input, Attention as a Skill
00:29:29 Warming-Up Focus, Tool: Visual Aperture & Attention
00:38:57 Sponsor: AG1
00:40:13 Control of Attention, Tool: Changing Environment
00:44:07 Attention Continuum, Professions, Measuring Business Skill with Neuroscience
00:53:06 Theory of Mind, Covert Attention, Attentional Spotlights
01:00:05 Primates, Hormone Status, Brain Size, Monogamy
01:09:31 Monkeys, Neuronal Multiplexing & Context; Equitable Relationships
01:20:05 Sponsor: BetterHelp
01:21:11 Relationships, Power Dynamics, Neuroethology
01:29:34 Humans, Females & Hormone Status; Monkeys, Social Images, Hormones
01:38:03 Humans, Attractiveness, Value-Based Decision Making
01:44:32 Altruism, Group Selection & Cooperation, Selflessness
01:49:08 Males, Testosterone, Behavior Changes
01:55:46 Sponsor: Function
01:57:34 Oxytocin, Pro-Social Behaviors, Behavioral Synchrony
02:08:13 MDMA, Oxytocin, Anxiety; Social Touch, Despair & Isolation
02:17:12 Isolation, Social Connections & Strangers, Tool: Deep Conversation Questions
02:21:17 Bridging the Divide, Tribes & Superficial Biases
02:26:58 Testosterone, Risk-Taking Behavior
02:30:52 Decision-Making, Tool: Accurate or Fast?
02:38:31 Decision-Making, Impact of Time & Fatigue
02:45:23 Advertising, Status, Celebrity, Monkeys
02:52:19 Hierarchy; Abundance & Scarcity, Money & Happiness, Loss Aversion
03:02:47 Meme Coins, Celebrity Endorsement, Social Sensitivity
03:12:22 Decisions & Urgency; Bounded & Ecological Rationality
03:18:09 Longevity Movement; Mortality & Motivation
03:24:48 Retirement?, Serial Pursuits & Pivoting
03:30:17 Apple or Samsung?, Brand Loyalty, Empathy
03:38:15 Political Affiliation, Empathy
03:46:22 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

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Discussing the connection between social texting etiquette between humans, as related to social grooming etiquette between Monkeys… The Huberman Lab just keeps getting better.

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Thanks for continuing to bring fascinating, intelligent, and mindful guests on your show, Andrew Huberman. Dr. Michael Platt was no exception! I really enjoyed this podcast and the journey through neuroscience and decision-making it provided.

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After i started following you my life had improved very much, thank you so much ❤

[shirintobie-paul]

Thank you Dr. Huberman, team, sponsors and supporters.☀️ THANK YOU DR. MICHAEL PLATT.

[thedev-yani]

Thanks Andrew. I have been wondering about this topic for decades. Almost over analyzing every move I make, delaying decisions for hormonal stability. This really helps in giving a closure to my mind. I am in no way a neuroscientist (just an engineer who has interest in the secrets of the mind).