Prompt Cast
The Science of Willpower and How It Affects Decision-Making
TLDR Willpower is a struggle for most people as we are at odds with our own nature, but it is what helps us overcome challenges in life. Studies have shown that using willpower to resist temptation can deplete our ability to perform well on other tasks, but replenishing glucose levels can help restore willpower and make more rational choices.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The podcast episode titled "How Willpower Works" discusses the concept of willpower and how it is a struggle for most people, as suggested by the Greek philosopher Plato.
03:50
Willpower comes in differing amounts for different people, and it is a struggle because we are at odds with our own nature as we have evolved to crave sugary sweet things and to procreate as much as possible, but society and evolution tussle with our basic instincts, so willpower is what will get us over the bumps in life.
07:47
In 1996, a psychologist named Roy Baumeister conducted a test using chocolate and radishes to show that using willpower to resist temptation can deplete your ability to perform well on other tasks requiring willpower, and subsequent studies have shown that using working memory to resist temptation can also deplete willpower.
11:52
The ventromedial prefrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are both involved in decision-making and willpower, with the latter being responsible for working memory and self-control.
16:44
Glucose plays a role in replenishing willpower and a shot of glucose can help replenish the willpower bar, even if it means giving in to short-term temptations like a cupcake.
20:24
Willpower fatigue can cause individuals to become risk averse and avoid making decisions, but having glucose can help overcome this and make more rational choices.
23:59
Exercising willpower disproportionately affects the poor, as they have to make more decisions and their resources of willpower become fatigued faster.
27:39
Exercising willpower disproportionately affects the poor, as they have to make more decisions and their resources of willpower become fatigued faster.
32:59
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Categories:
Society & Culture
