Episode 310: Bayes, Brains, and Buddhists
Summary
The hosts first examine a skeptical take on whether some individuals truly lack an inner monologue, prompting psychologist David Pizarro to reflect on his own subjective experience. They then explore the complex predictive processing theory of brain function, which posits the mind primarily minimizes prediction errors. This framework is used to analyze how various meditation techniques—focused attention, open monitoring, and non-dual practice—might relate to altering the brain's predictive models and lead to fundamental Buddhist insights.Episode description
David and Tamler try to wrap their heads around the predictive processing theory of the mind and brain function and talk about a paper that applies the framework to meditation practices. But first a new Psychological Science article expresses skepticism about the existence of people who have no inner voice. So is David a new kind of human or is he just making up this condition to get attention?
Assistant Editor's note: When Tamler says he doesn't talk to his dog "weirdly often," he is lying.
Lind, A. (2024). Are There Really People With No Inner Voice? Commentary on Nedergaard and Lupyan (2024). Psychological Science, 09567976251335583.
Laukkonen, R. E., & Slagter, H. A. (2021). From many to (n) one: Meditation and the plasticity of the predictive mind. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 128, 199-217.