CM 207: David Robson on How Our Expectations Shape Us

From time to time, I’ll run across creative ways people are using apps I like. It often prompts me to learn more. I’ll watch some videos, read a few articles and, inevitably, what I discover is that I’ve been accessing just a fraction of what the software can do. 

I got that same feeling while reading award-winning science writer, David Robson’s latest book, The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Change Your World. It made me realize that I’m leveraging far fewer of my brain’s features than I could be.

That means I’m missing out on a lot. For example, quicker recovery from illness and injury. Better performance from more effective stress management. And adding years to my life with more thoughtful approaches to fitness and aging.

What scientists are learning about the connections between the human brain and performance is incredible. And David Robson manages to take this research and organize it into a compelling playbook for a better life.

Episode Links

Can You Think Yourself Young?

How Thinking about ‘Future You’ Can Help You Build a Happier Life

The Brain is a Prediction Machine: It Knows How Well We Are Doing Something before We Even Try

Believing is Seeing: Using Mindlessness (Mindfully) to Improve Visual Acuity

Ellen Langer

A Placebo Can Work Even When You Know It’s a Placebo

Nocebo Effect

Improving Acute Stress Responses: The Power of Reappraisal

Jeremy P. Jamieson

Veronika Job

Can You Ever Get Over a Lingering Grudge?

Dr. Michael Greger and nutritionfacts.org

 The Team

Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here.

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