Spontaneous Thoughts

Artificial Intelligence

Why ChatGPT Talks the Talk but Doesn’t Walk the Walk

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on October 11, 2023

Large language models (LLMs) have proven to be capable of producing human-like language. This makes them look as smart as humans, but how intelligent are they?

Large language models (LLMs) have proven to be capable of producing human-like language. This makes them look as smart as humans, but how intelligent are they?

Personality

How Learning and Personality Interact

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on September 27, 2023

Personality is not fully inborn but to a large extent learned during our lifetime. Vice versa, what we learn is influenced by our personality.

Personality is not fully inborn but to a large extent learned during our lifetime. Vice versa, what we learn is influenced by our personality.

Career

Can Brain Training Ever Work?

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on October 22, 2022

On the surface, the idea of brain training makes sense: In many areas, practice will almost certainly make you better. Why is this not the case for our intellectual abilities?

On the surface, the idea of brain training makes sense: In many areas, practice will almost certainly make you better. Why is this not the case for our intellectual abilities?

Artificial Intelligence

Deepfakes Can Be Used to Hack the Human Mind

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on October 8, 2021

A Deepfake is a digital copy of a person that can be manipulated into saying anything and impact viewers just as strongly as genuine online content.

A Deepfake is a digital copy of a person that can be manipulated into saying anything and impact viewers just as strongly as genuine online content.

Genetics

Is It Possible for Our Genes to Learn?

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on March 5, 2021

Many stimuli in our lives, from alcohol to tobacco to environmental pollutants to psychological stressors, can alter how our genes behave. But can our genes also learn?

Many stimuli in our lives, from alcohol to tobacco to environmental pollutants to psychological stressors, can alter how our genes behave. But can our genes also learn?

Consumer Behavior

The Power of Pairings: How Marketers Make Us Like Products

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on November 20, 2020

Marketing ads often present new products together with positive events. This simple marketing technique can affect how much you like certain products—even when you wouldn't expect it to.

Marketing ads often present new products together with positive events. This simple marketing technique can affect how much you like certain products—even when you wouldn't expect it to.

Memory

Erasing Memories Might Be Difficult After All

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on July 17, 2020

Some scientists are seriously considering the idea that painful memories can be erased. However, the evidence base for this idea turns out to be weaker than initially thought.

Some scientists are seriously considering the idea that painful memories can be erased. However, the evidence base for this idea turns out to be weaker than initially thought.

Social Learning Theory

How the Corona Crisis Reveals the Power of Social Learning

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on April 12, 2020

It is remarkable how many of us have not been in direct contact with the coronavirus, yet have learned from others how it should be dealt with.

It is remarkable how many of us have not been in direct contact with the coronavirus, yet have learned from others how it should be dealt with.

Unconscious

An Iceberg Is Not a Good Metaphor for the Mind

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on March 1, 2020

The image of the iceberg mind oversimplifies the nature of the mind and limits our views on changing behavior.

The image of the iceberg mind oversimplifies the nature of the mind and limits our views on changing behavior.

Bias

Can We Change Our Implicit Bias?

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on December 11, 2019

Implicit bias is often seen as a stable, unconscious force that is nearly impossible to change. What can we learn from recent research?

Implicit bias is often seen as a stable, unconscious force that is nearly impossible to change. What can we learn from recent research?

Bias

What Is Implicit Bias?

The Learning and Implicit Processes Lab on October 13, 2019

Our thoughts, feelings, and actions can be influenced by social cues even when we do not want to be influenced. Implicit bias, as a behavioral phenomenon, is and will remain real.

Our thoughts, feelings, and actions can be influenced by social cues even when we do not want to be influenced. Implicit bias, as a behavioral phenomenon, is and will remain real.