The Nature & Nurture Podcast Adam Omary
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- Science
Discussing the interaction between Nature (our biology, genes, evolutionary past, and the laws of our universe) and Nurture (our social environments, culture, history, and upbringings), and how these forces impact our lives. New episodes every week with scientists, authors, and bright minds from a wide array of backgrounds.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNatureNurturePodcast
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Nature & Nurture #139: Dr. Rob Chavez - Computational Neuroscience & Social Cognition
Dr. Robert Chavez is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Oregon, where he directs the Computational Social Neuroscience Lab. https://csnl.uoregon.edu/
In this episode, Rob and I discuss our shared background in cognitive science and statistics, our mutual interests in neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, social cognition, personality, behavioral genetics, artificial intelligence, and philosophy, and the divergence in research. Where my interests turned more developmental, Rob’s turned computational. We discuss Rob’s research using a variety of advanced neuroimaging analysis and machine learning techniques in order to understand individual differences in social cognitive traits, how to interpret diffusion MRI, white matter structure, and connectivity. We also discuss how evolutionary theory and animal research informs our understanding of social cognition, introspection, and consciousness, and speculate about these traits in artificially intelligent systems. -
Nature & Nurture #138: Dr. Adriene Beltz - Hormones, Sex Differences, & Contraceptives
Dr. Adriene Beltz is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan, where she directs the Methods, Sex Differences, and Development Lab.
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Nature & Nurture #137: Dr. Larry Young - Hormones & Sexual Behavior Across Species
Dr. Larry Young is the William P. Timmie Professor of Psychiatry at Emory School of Medicine, where he directs the Center for Translational Social Neuroscience and the Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition at Emory University. He is the author of The Chemistry Between Us: Love, Sex, and the Science of Attraction explores the latest discoveries of how brain chemistry influences all aspects of our relationships with others. Dr. Young’s research focuses on the role of oxytocin and vasopressin in mediating social bonding and sexual behavior across a wide range of species, with emphasis on understanding the evolution and neural circuit mechanisms underlying love, attachment, and social bonding in humans.
00:27 A Childhood Fascination with Animal Behavior
01:11 From Biochemistry to Behavioral Biology: A Scientist's Journey
02:14 Exploring the Sexual Behavior of Lizards
05:25 The Red Queen Hypothesis and Evolutionary Biology
08:02 Diving into Human Hormones and Brain Development
08:58 The Complex World of Gender and Sexuality in Nature
15:14 Unraveling the Mysteries of Love and Bonding in Voles
18:42 Oxytocin: The Hormone of Birth, Bonding, and Beyond
22:06 The Science of Touch and Social Connection
26:59 Understanding Love as a Form of Addiction
30:08 The Impact of Losing a Partner on Prairie Voles
31:56 Exploring Love and Addiction Through Oxytocin Studies
32:27 Debating Love: Chemical Reaction or More?
34:09 The Science of Attraction: Oxytocin's Role
37:01 Understanding Love and Bonding Across Species
41:28 The Intricacies of Sexual Behavior and Attraction
47:42 The Evolutionary Mechanisms of Mating and Bonding
59:41 Utilizing Science to Strengthen Relationships -
Nature & Nurture #136: Dr. Steve Rathje - The Global Social Media Experiment
Steve Rathjay is a Psychologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Social Identity and Morality Lab of New York University. He is an expert in the psychology of social media use and one of the leaders of the Global Social Media Experiment, an international collaboration examining the causal impact of social media usage in 76 countries around the world. Dr. Rathje received his PhD from the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, and completed his undergraduate education in Psychology and Symbolic Systems at Stanford University. He has received numerous grants and awards for his research, and runs the science communication channel @stevepsychology with more than 1 million followers on TikTok.
00:07 Exploring Social Media's Impact on Political Polarization
02:15 The Paradox of Virality: Why Negative Content Spreads
10:17 Evolutionary Perspectives on Social Media Behavior
14:50 The Creator's Dilemma: Navigating Virality and Authenticity on TikTok
36:07 The Science of Clickbait: Understanding What Captivates Us
40:41 The Power of Podcasts: Fostering Connection in the Digital Age
42:39 Exploring Parasocial Relationships and Social Media Dynamics
46:06 The Impact of Negativity Bias and Climate Doomerism
51:46 Social Media's Role in Global Connectivity and Cultural Evolution
01:14:11 The Power of Inoculation Theory Against Misinformation
01:22:13 Navigating the Complex Landscape of Social Media Regulation
01:28:50 Concluding Thoughts on Social Media's Societal Impact -
Nature & Nurture #135: Dr. Rob Henderson - Childhood Instability, Poverty, Education, & Resilience
Dr. Rob Henderson is a Psychologist, Air Force Veteran, and author of Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class. Expanding on our past episode, in which we discuss luxury beliefs, social status, and classism at length, this time our discussion is much more personal. In this episode, Rob and I discuss formative experiences written in his memoir, the impacts of childhood poverty on health and future success, the importance of self-discipline, the politics of diversity and inclusion in academia, trickle-down meritocracy, and much more.
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Nature & Nurture #134: Dr. Sergio Pellis - The Neurobiology of Play
Dr. Sergio Pellis is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge and one of the world’s leading experts in the neurobiology of play.
In this episode, we discuss how play behavior across mammals relies on the same neural reward circuitry, the evolutionary origins and benefits of play, and how hormones contribute to sex differences in aggression, sexual, and play behavior. We also discuss connections between play across species and empathy, its impact on the development of social skills in children, and the impacts of social isolation on brain and cognitive development.
00:15 The Neuroscience of Play: A Historical Perspective
04:01 The Evolutionary Purpose of Play
06:37 The Role of Reward Systems in Play
15:36 The Developmental Stages of Play in Animals
27:20 The Social Functions of Play
34:29 The Neurobiology of Play and Its Impact on Brain Development
35:54 The Impact of Play on Brain Development
36:41 Exploring Sex Differences in Play
37:49 The Role of Hormones in Play Behavior
39:20 The Influence of Rearing Environment on Play
39:40 The Shift in Play Tactics at Puberty
41:23 The Complexity of Sex Differences in Play
45:14 The Impact of Social Isolation on Brain Development
46:26 The Importance of Play for Both Sexes
50:11 The Influence of Play on Executive Functions
01:00:30 The Role of Pheromones in Social Interactions
01:08:15 The Impact of Play Deprivation on Brain Development
01:10:05 The Psychological Training Aspect of Play
01:11:08 The Empathy Developed Through Animal Research