041: David Robson on expectation effects and our predictive brain

A Load of BS on Sport: The Behavioural Science Podcast with Daniel Ross and Liam Botham

Scientist and writer David Robson has written the definitive book on expectation effects. We're going to talk about his fascinating book The Expectation Effect and how our brain plays clever games with us.

David graduated with a degree in maths from Cambridge University then worked as a features editor at New Scientist before moving to the BBC. His writing has also appeared in the Guardian, the Atlantic, Men’s Health amongst other.

Show notes

• The brain as prediction machine: how the brain uses experiences to predict our future outcomes and adapt our physiology
• Seeing Jesus in a slice of toast
• Why does the brain play games with us?
• Expectation effects vs mindfulness and positive thinking
• The consequences of the brain’s inner pharmacy
• New research on ‘open label’ placebos
• Nocebo effect: the evil twin of placebo
• How emotions and mindsets affect our health
• Ethical dilemmas of using placebos
• Hysterical strength: releasing the brakes on our physical resources
• Gender bias and entrenched expectations
• How food labelling affects eating experiences

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Podcast music: Tamsin Waley-Cohen's Mendelssohn's violin concerto