In this episode, we dive into the revolutionary field of ecological psychology with Dr. Luis Favela, author of The Ecological Brain. What if the brain isn't a computer, but part of a dynamic system that includes your body and the world around you? Discover how this paradigm shift challenges traditional cognitive psychology and neuroscience, and why it could redefine how we understand perception, action, and intelligence.Dr. Favela shares compelling insights from his work, exploring key concepts like affordances, the perception-action loop, and how our minds evolved to interact with a complex environment. From World War II bomber pilots to the development of cutting-edge robotics, learn how this interdisciplinary approach connects psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy to tackle age-old questions about the nature of the mind.

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00:00 Dr. Louis Fevela's Academic Interests

07:48 Introduction to Ecological Psychology

13:10 Experimental Paradigms in Ecological Psychology

20:05 Differences from Cognitive Psychology

25:23 Meaning and Perception in Ecological Psychology

35:15 Defining Perception in Ecological Psychology

41:44 The Differences Between Cognitive Psychology and Ecological Psychology

46:15 Why Ecological Psychology is Less Known and Taught

50:09 Integrating Ecological Psychology and Neuroscience with the Neuro-Ecological Nexus Theory (NEXT)

53:35 The Mutuality of Interaction and the Role of Information in Ecological Psychology

57:02 The Importance of Ecological Validity in Ecological Psychology

01:20:48 Understanding Ecological Psychology

01:22:45 Exploring Affordance and Pass-Through Ability

01:29:24 Comparing Cognitive Psychology and Ecological Psychology

01:32:26 Soft-Assembled Systems: Flexibility and Adaptability

01:39:56 Advancements in Technology for Naturalistic Experiments

01:43:21 The Future of Neuroscience: Discovering New Types of Brain Cells

01:51:47 Moving Beyond the Brain-Centric View

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