How to Make Better Decisions | Dr. Michael Platt

My guest is Dr. Michael Platt, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. We discuss how our hormones and social status influence what we value and how we make decisions across various areas, from whom and what we find attractive to our political affiliations. We also explore how humans evaluate and exchange power in relationships and how our perceived place in a hierarchy impacts decision-making. Dr. Platt also shares new science-based tools for improving focus, creativity, and attention. Read the full show notes for this episode: https://go.hubermanlab.com/CxJNlhA *Thank you to our sponsors* AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Wealthfront**: https://wealthfront.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman _**This experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients of Wealthfront, and there is no guarantee that all clients will have similar experiences. Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) on cash deposits as of December 27,‬ 2024, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to partner banks where they earn the variable‭ APY. Promo terms and FDIC coverage conditions apply. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer._ *Follow Huberman Lab* Instagram: https://go.hubermanlab.com/instagram Threads: https://go.hubermanlab.com/threads X: https://go.hubermanlab.com/x Facebook: https://go.hubermanlab.com/facebook TikTok: https://go.hubermanlab.com/tiktok LinkedIn: https://go.hubermanlab.com/linkedin Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://go.hubermanlab.com/newsletter *Dr. Michael Platt* Lab website: https://plattlabs.rocks Website: https://www.drmichaelplatt.com University of Pennsylvania academic profile: https://psychology.sas.upenn.edu/people/michael-l-platt "The Leader’s Brain" (book): https://amzlink.to/az0C15in1FqOX Cogwear: https://cogweartech.com X: https://x.com/michaellouispl1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-platt-21767539 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaellouisplatt *Timestamps* 00:00:00 Dr. Michael Platt 00:02:12 Humans, Old World Primates & Decision-Making; Swiss Army Knife Analogy 00:07:52 Sponsors: Our Place & Wealthfront 00:11:01 Attention Allocation, Resource Foraging 00:16:40 Social Media; Marginal Value Theorem, Distraction 00:22:22 Tool: Remove Phone from Room; Attention & Urgency 00:25:23 Tool: Self Conversation; Visual Input, Attention as a Skill 00:29:29 Warming-Up Focus, Tool: Visual Aperture & Attention 00:38:57 Sponsor: AG1 00:40:13 Control of Attention, Tool: Changing Environment 00:44:07 Attention Continuum, Professions, Measuring Business Skill with Neuroscience 00:53:06 Theory of Mind, Covert Attention, Attentional Spotlights 01:00:05 Primates, Hormone Status, Brain Size, Monogamy 01:09:31 Monkeys, Neuronal Multiplexing & Context; Equitable Relationships 01:20:05 Sponsor: BetterHelp 01:21:11 Relationships, Power Dynamics, Neuroethology 01:29:34 Humans, Females & Hormone Status; Monkeys, Social Images, Hormones 01:38:03 Humans, Attractiveness, Value-Based Decision Making 01:44:32 Altruism, Group Selection & Cooperation, Selflessness 01:49:08 Males, Testosterone, Behavior Changes 01:55:46 Sponsor: Function 01:57:34 Oxytocin, Pro-Social Behaviors, Behavioral Synchrony 02:08:13 MDMA, Oxytocin, Anxiety; Social Touch, Despair & Isolation 02:17:12 Isolation, Social Connections & Strangers, Tool: Deep Conversation Questions 02:21:17 Bridging the Divide, Tribes & Superficial Biases 02:26:58 Testosterone, Risk-Taking Behavior 02:30:52 Decision-Making, Tool: Accurate or Fast? 02:38:31 Decision-Making, Impact of Time & Fatigue 02:45:23 Advertising, Status, Celebrity, Monkeys 02:52:19 Hierarchy; Abundance & Scarcity, Money & Happiness, Loss Aversion 03:02:47 Meme Coins, Celebrity Endorsement, Social Sensitivity 03:12:22 Decisions & Urgency; Bounded & Ecological Rationality 03:18:09 Longevity Movement; Mortality & Motivation 03:24:48 Retirement?, Serial Pursuits & Pivoting 03:30:17 Apple or Samsung?, Brand Loyalty, Empathy 03:38:15 Political Affiliation, Empathy 03:46:22 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter #HubermanLab #Science Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Andrew HubermanhostMichael Plattguest

Feb 17, 20253h 48mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: February 17, 2025
Duration: 3h 48m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

My guest is Dr. Michael Platt, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. We discuss how our hormones and social status influence what we value and how we make decisions across various areas, from whom and what we find attractive to our political affiliations. We also explore how humans evaluate and exchange power in relationships and how our perceived place in a hierarchy impacts decision-making. Dr. Platt also shares new science-based tools for improving focus, creativity, and attention. Read the full show notes for this episode: https://go.hubermanlab.com/CxJNlhA *Thank you to our sponsors* AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Wealthfront**: https://wealthfront.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman _**This experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients of Wealthfront, and there is no guarantee that all clients will have similar experiences. Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) on cash deposits as of December 27,‬ 2024, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to partner banks where they earn the variable‭ APY. Promo terms and FDIC coverage conditions apply. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer._ *Follow Huberman Lab* Instagram: https://go.hubermanlab.com/instagram Threads: https://go.hubermanlab.com/threads X: https://go.hubermanlab.com/x Facebook: https://go.hubermanlab.com/facebook TikTok: https://go.hubermanlab.com/tiktok LinkedIn: https://go.hubermanlab.com/linkedin Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://go.hubermanlab.com/newsletter *Dr. Michael Platt* Lab website: https://plattlabs.rocks Website: https://www.drmichaelplatt.com University of Pennsylvania academic profile: https://psychology.sas.upenn.edu/people/michael-l-platt "The Leader’s Brain" (book): https://amzlink.to/az0C15in1FqOX Cogwear: https://cogweartech.com X: https://x.com/michaellouispl1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-platt-21767539 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaellouisplatt *Timestamps* 00:00:00 Dr. Michael Platt 00:02:12 Humans, Old World Primates & Decision-Making; Swiss Army Knife Analogy 00:07:52 Sponsors: Our Place & Wealthfront 00:11:01 Attention Allocation, Resource Foraging 00:16:40 Social Media; Marginal Value Theorem, Distraction 00:22:22 Tool: Remove Phone from Room; Attention & Urgency 00:25:23 Tool: Self Conversation; Visual Input, Attention as a Skill 00:29:29 Warming-Up Focus, Tool: Visual Aperture & Attention 00:38:57 Sponsor: AG1 00:40:13 Control of Attention, Tool: Changing Environment 00:44:07 Attention Continuum, Professions, Measuring Business Skill with Neuroscience 00:53:06 Theory of Mind, Covert Attention, Attentional Spotlights 01:00:05 Primates, Hormone Status, Brain Size, Monogamy 01:09:31 Monkeys, Neuronal Multiplexing & Context; Equitable Relationships 01:20:05 Sponsor: BetterHelp 01:21:11 Relationships, Power Dynamics, Neuroethology 01:29:34 Humans, Females & Hormone Status; Monkeys, Social Images, Hormones 01:38:03 Humans, Attractiveness, Value-Based Decision Making 01:44:32 Altruism, Group Selection & Cooperation, Selflessness 01:49:08 Males, Testosterone, Behavior Changes 01:55:46 Sponsor: Function 01:57:34 Oxytocin, Pro-Social Behaviors, Behavioral Synchrony 02:08:13 MDMA, Oxytocin, Anxiety; Social Touch, Despair & Isolation 02:17:12 Isolation, Social Connections & Strangers, Tool: Deep Conversation Questions 02:21:17 Bridging the Divide, Tribes & Superficial Biases 02:26:58 Testosterone, Risk-Taking Behavior 02:30:52 Decision-Making, Tool: Accurate or Fast? 02:38:31 Decision-Making, Impact of Time & Fatigue 02:45:23 Advertising, Status, Celebrity, Monkeys 02:52:19 Hierarchy; Abundance & Scarcity, Money & Happiness, Loss Aversion 03:02:47 Meme Coins, Celebrity Endorsement, Social Sensitivity 03:12:22 Decisions & Urgency; Bounded & Ecological Rationality 03:18:09 Longevity Movement; Mortality & Motivation 03:24:48 Retirement?, Serial Pursuits & Pivoting 03:30:17 Apple or Samsung?, Brand Loyalty, Empathy 03:38:15 Political Affiliation, Empathy 03:46:22 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter #HubermanLab #Science Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host
Michael Platt
guest
Narrator
other

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Michael Platt, How to Make Better Decisions | Dr. Michael Platt explores hormones, Hierarchies, and Attention: The Hidden Drivers of Decisions Neuroscientist Dr. Michael Platt explains how our decision-making systems are fundamentally primate systems, tuned by evolution for social hierarchies, resource foraging, and survival rather than modern markets and smartphones. He describes how attention, valuation, hormones (testosterone, oxytocin), and social status signals are computed in the brain—with monkeys and humans using nearly identical circuitry.

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