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Well-Grounded: The Neurobiology of Rational Decisions
A neuroscientist reveals unique aspects of decision-making and the best strategies for protecting and enhancing the brain’s ability to navigate life’s uncertainties
Contingency calculations—the ability to predict the outcomes of decisions and actions—are critical for survival and success. Our amazing brains continually process past and current experiences to enable us to make the most adaptive choices. But when the brain’s information systems are compromised—by such varying conditions as drug addiction, poverty, mental illness, or even privilege—we can lose the ability to arrive at informed decisions.
In this engaging book, behavioral neuroscientist Kelly Lambert explores a variety of the modern factors that can lead to warped neural processing, or distorted realities she terms “brain bubbles.” Individuals who define success in terms of creature comforts and immediate gratification, for instance, may interact less with the physical and social world and thereby dull their ability to imagine varied contingency scenarios. The author underscores how continuous, meaningful, and well-grounded experiences are required if we are to make the best decisions throughout our lives.
Contingency calculations—the ability to predict the outcomes of decisions and actions—are critical for survival and success. Our amazing brains continually process past and current experiences to enable us to make the most adaptive choices. But when the brain’s information systems are compromised—by such varying conditions as drug addiction, poverty, mental illness, or even privilege—we can lose the ability to arrive at informed decisions.
In this engaging book, behavioral neuroscientist Kelly Lambert explores a variety of the modern factors that can lead to warped neural processing, or distorted realities she terms “brain bubbles.” Individuals who define success in terms of creature comforts and immediate gratification, for instance, may interact less with the physical and social world and thereby dull their ability to imagine varied contingency scenarios. The author underscores how continuous, meaningful, and well-grounded experiences are required if we are to make the best decisions throughout our lives.
312 pages, Hardcover
Published September 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 3, 2019
Quite interesting book. The author describes (and gives suggestions on how to improve) human abilities in decision making and shows evidences about the importance of gaining experience that can be used to make decisions. Moreover, the author suggests that we must frequently do "reality checks" to assess our current way of understanding what surrounds us.
The book is filled with references to the neuroscientific literature and describes results over the last century in the field.
The book is filled with references to the neuroscientific literature and describes results over the last century in the field.
December 2, 2018
The book is exactly what the title says it is - the neurobiology of rational decisions. It's a really good book and I'm glad I read it. The only thing I change about it would be to boost the amount of practical suggestions for improving contingency calculations and avoiding brain bubbles, and cutting back a little bit on the descriptions of rat experiments.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews