Mind & Life

Larry Barsalou - Habits of Mind

03.26.2021 - By Mind & Life InstitutePlay

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In this episode, Wendy speaks with cognitive psychologist Larry Barsalou about his work on grounded cognition, concepts, stress, and habits. Their conversation covers many topics, including:

a historical look at how psychology has viewed and studied the mind;

simulation and prediction in the brain;

what a concept is, and benefits and harms they can bring;

stereotypes, implicit bias, and how we might change them;

the "situated action" cycle that drives our behavior;

understanding habits, and the role of mindfulness in breaking unhealthy habits;

how humans form self-concepts, and how meditation can help us move beyond them;

the importance of context (situatedness) in cognition, and how to study it scientifically;

and how he got interested in contemplative science.

Full show notes and resources

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