The mind within the brain -- how we make decisions | David Redish | TEDxUMN

Summary

In this talk, the speaker explores the brain as a decision-making machine, highlighting the complexity of how we make choices. The speaker introduces four decision-making systems: reflexes, Pavlovian behaviors, deliberation, and procedural learning. These systems, which involve both unconscious and conscious processing, are fundamental to how we navigate decisions, from small choices to life-changing ones. By understanding these systems, we can address behavioral challenges such as addiction and irrational decision-making. The speaker argues that our freedom to choose lies in the interaction of all these systems, each contributing to who we are as individuals.

Takeaways

• 😀 The brain is a decision-making machine, with multiple systems working together to guide decisions.
• 😀 Decision-making is a process of selecting actions based on past experience, sensory information, and goals.
• 😀 Reflexes and Pavlovian responses are automatic decision systems, but are difficult to modify or learn new actions.
• 😀 Deliberation is a slower decision-making process, involving imagination and evaluation of possible outcomes.
• 😀 Procedural learning allows individuals to quickly perform learned actions without deliberating, such as in sports or music.
• 😀 The four decision-making systems (reflex, Pavlovian, deliberation, procedural) each have strengths and weaknesses in different situations.
• 😀 Addiction can be viewed as a failure of decision-making, particularly a failure of the Pavlovian system.
• 😀 Humans have the freedom to choose, as long as we recognize that we are the sum of these different decision-making systems.
• 😀 The brain's decision-making mechanisms are shared across species, with similar systems seen in both humans and animals.
• 😀 We do better when we select the appropriate decision-making system for the situation (e.g., reflexes for quick actions, deliberation for careful decisions).
• 😀 Despite the brain being a decision-making machine, the individual retains freedom because all these systems work together to form the self, as expressed in Walt Whitman's quote: 'I am large, I contain multitudes.'

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's discussion?

The speaker focuses on the mechanisms of choice and how decisions are made, examining how those decisions can go right or wrong. They explore the brain's role in decision-making and the different systems that influence our choices.

What does the speaker mean when they say the brain is a 'decision-making machine'?

The phrase 'decision-making machine' refers to the brain's role in processing information to select actions based on past experiences, sensory cues, and goals. The brain functions like a machine that continuously makes decisions based on this processing.

What was initially thought to be the hardest part of the phrase 'the brain is a decision-making machine'?

Initially, the hardest part was thought to be the word 'brain' because of the complexity involved in understanding the neuroscience behind it. However, the speaker later realized that the most difficult concept is actually the word 'machine' because it brings up the question of what it means to be a physical being.

How does the speaker define 'choice'?

The speaker defines choice as the action selection process, where an individual decides on an action based on information such as past experience, sensory cues, and goals. This definition applies to both small and big decisions.

What are the four systems of decision-making mentioned by the speaker?

The four decision-making systems mentioned are: reflexes, Pavlovian responses, deliberation, and procedural learning. These systems vary in their speed, flexibility, and how they process information.

What role does the Pavlovian system play in decision-making?

The Pavlovian system involves species-specific behaviors, such as the instinctive reaction to run from a lion. This system allows individuals to respond quickly to threats or stimuli without needing to learn the behavior consciously.

How does the deliberation system differ from the Pavlovian system?

The deliberation system involves imagining and evaluating potential future outcomes before making a decision. Unlike the Pavlovian system, which responds instinctively, deliberation is a slower and more flexible process, allowing for more complex decision-making.

What is procedural learning, and how does it relate to decision-making?

Procedural learning refers to the process of learning actions through repeated practice, such as athletes or musicians perfecting their skills. This system is important for decisions that need to be made quickly, like swinging a baseball bat or playing a musical instrument.

What is the importance of the hippocampus in decision-making?

The hippocampus plays a key role in decision-making by helping to imagine future outcomes and evaluate them. This brain structure is crucial for deliberation, allowing both humans and animals to process decisions involving future possibilities.

How does the speaker address the issue of addiction in relation to decision-making?

The speaker suggests that addiction could be understood as a failure mode within the decision-making system. They propose that rather than labeling someone as an addict, we should identify the specific decision-making problem (e.g., Pavlovian or deliberative) and work to address it.

What does the speaker mean by 'we are the brain within us'?

The phrase 'we are the brain within us' emphasizes the idea that the mind is fundamentally linked to the physical brain. Our thoughts, actions, and decisions are products of this physical brain, and understanding the brain is key to understanding ourselves.

What is the significance of the Walt Whitman quote at the end of the talk?

The Walt Whitman quote, 'Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes,' reflects the complexity of human nature. The speaker uses it to highlight that all the decision-making systems—reflexive, Pavlovian, deliberative, and procedural—are part of who we are, and we have the freedom to choose because we embody all these systems.