Instinctive Drift and Human Cognition

The Biased Brain Podcast with Owen Hawthorne

Explore the intriguing world of cognitive biases and human cognition in this engaging podcast. Discover how bias in decision making shapes our perceptions and influences our choices. Join us as we delve into the science behind critical thinking and biases, providing practical insights to enhance your understanding and control over your thought processes. Whether you're a psychology student or curious observer, this podcast offers valuable tools to help you unveil the hidden biases in your mind.

Hey there! Today, I want to chat with you about a fascinating concept from the world of animal behavior studies called instinctive drift. It sounds a bit like something out of a sci-fi novel, doesn't it? But it's actually a very real phenomenon that happens in animal training, and it's something that can give us a unique perspective on behavior, both in animals and possibly even in humans. So, grab a cup of coffee, relax, and let's explore this together.

Instinctive drift was first noticed by researchers and animal trainers Marian and Keller Breland back in the mid-20th century. They were doing some pioneering work in the field of operant conditioning—the kind of work where animals like raccoons and pigs were trained to perform tasks for rewards. But what they observed was quite curious. Despite being trained with the utmost precision, the animals would often revert to instinctual behaviors that conflicted with their learned tasks.

Imagine this: you've got a raccoon that's learned to deposit a coin in a box for food rewards. Sounds straightforward, right? But instead of just putting the coin in, the raccoon starts rubbing it with its little paws, almost like washing it. Why? Well, it's going back to its natural instincts—something raccoons typically do with food in the wild. Instinctive drift is essentially when trained behavior gives way to instinctual behavior. It's almost as if there's this invisible line animals just can't help but cross.

What's so intriguing about instinctive drift is that it throws a wrench into the idea that training, particularly operant conditioning, is foolproof and that learned behavior will always trump natural instincts. The Brelands' observations suggested that certain behaviors were innately wired and simply overpowered the conditioned responses. It's a wonderful reminder that nature has its own agenda at times.

Now, here’s where things get even more interesting. While instinctive drift primarily focuses on animal behavior, it does pose an interesting question for human cognition. Are there aspects of our decision-making influenced by innate tendencies we're not even aware of? Are our cognitive biases a form of instinctive drift? Understanding this could expand the way we think about bias in decision making.

Think about it: we like to believe that when we make decisions, we're doing so with full rationality and control. But that might not always be the case. Our brains have ancient wiring in place, the kind that might lead us to certain biases without us even realizing. This ties to those fascinating ideas you’ll find in the book, "The Biased Brain" by Bo Bennett, PhD. It delves into how our decision-making processes are affected by these cognitive biases. Explore the book and unravel the secrets of your mind today!

So, next time you find yourself instinctively drifting back to a decision pattern or way of thinking that seems to override your rational plans, take a moment. Perhaps there's an 'instinct' at play—not unlike that of our raccoon friend.

Whether it's a raccoon with coin-orienting tendencies or a human falling back on cognitive biases, instinctive drift is a fascinating reminder of the sometimes subtle, sometimes stark contrast between what we've learned and what we're biologically inclined to do. It's like life itself is tugging at us to remember where we've come from and what makes us inherently... well, us.

Have you ever noticed a time when your biological wiring might have driven you to act in a particular way, against the grain of your training or learning? I'd love to hear your thoughts and stories on this intriguing topic!

Okay, that's all for now! Once you're ready to learn more about these mysterious biases our brains might be harboring, don't forget to check out Bo Bennett's insightful book mentioned earlier. Until next time!

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