Split Decision
The Decision Science Podcast
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Prof. Roshan Cools -
How Much Control Do We Really Have Over Our Own Decisions?
How much control do we really have over our own decisions? In this episode, Center Director, Prof. Alan Sanfey sits down with Prof. Roshan Cools, neuroscientist and expert in cognitive control to better understand what science can tell us about how much control we really have over our own decisions. She also shares her expert advice and tips on staying motivated even in our increasingly complex world.
Timestaps
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What is cognitive control, will power and motivation? (02:00)
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To what degree are these concepts under our conscious control? (03:27)
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What are dopamine and serotonin exactly? What do they do? (04:28)
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How do these concepts help us understand our decisions? (07:12)
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Are there individual differences in motivational skills? How does this help us understand clinical populations? (26:30)
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How can brain research help society and policies? (33:45)
Resources
Videos
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Chemistry of the adaptive mind: Lessons from dopamine [Watch here]
Websites
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Website of the Motivational and Cognitive Control Lab, led by Prof. Roshan Cools (http://www.roshancools.com/)
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Profile of Prof. Roshan Cools (https://www.ru.nl/en/people/cools-r)
Guest bio
Roshan Cools,
Professor of
Cognitive Neuropsychiatry
Roshan Cools is Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre. She is also Principal Investigator at the Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging. Her research examines the chemistry of the adaptive mind: the motivational and cognitive control of human decision-making. Her research combines cognitive science, psychopharmacology, functional and chemical neuroimaging, TMS and patient data. In addition to her research, Prof. Cools is also a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Academia Europaea, as well as a member of the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (to the Dutch government).