Transhumanists see humans a work in progress project to be enhanced by technology. But what does this tell us about what it means to be human? Are we in danger of losing sight of the very thing that defines us?
Category Archive: Psychology
That we seek to find human traits in the machinery we work with is no surprise: humans have a long and deep relationship with the tools we use, often fashioning them in our own image. But what does this anthropomorphizing of technology tell us about what it means to be human?
We often use references to evolution to explain human behaviour. But are we really simply the product of our pasts? We surely need a more nuanced view that recognises our very human lives.
It is tempting to use the power of AI to understand humans but the nature of our embedded worlds means that we have to rely on each other to do so
The mind as an iceberg is a popular metaphor for the human mind, suggesting the real action is under the surface. But our daily reality does not quite follow.
Will Davies sets out the way in which facts have been discredited and how emotion, specifically resentment have become a guide for navigating the world. Davies applies this to politics, but can we also use this to understand how this is changing the landscape for brands?
There often seems a gap between good intentions and actual behaviour when it comes to sustainability. We explore what is underpinning this and what can be done to close the gap.
We tend to prefer things that are natural whether it is food, the environment or medicines. But what do we mean by natural and how can we better understand the important perception.
There is a widespread belief that people are irrational, just like Homer Simpson. But is this really the case? We spoke to Prof Peter Ayton on the matter.
There is pressure to make surveys ‘ecologically valid’, in that they should reflect the environment in which the behavior occurred. We argue this is the case for some, but not for all, survey work.
There is a huge focus on implicit bias as means of explaining and correcting our flawed thinking – that is often reflected in our prejudiced attitudes that may include chauvinistic and racist attitudes. But does the science really justify this?
Guide to the key ways psychology can be deployed to generate trust for brands
The study of human behaviour is not value free. The nature of ‘being human’ is an increasingly contested topic.
How can brands use technology to build trust? Because it is very easy to get this most sensitive of issues wrong.
Expertise has something of a problem at the moment. But is it deserved?
Why has behavioural science moved up the agenda so rapidly? There is a strong case to be made that it represents a structural change in the market.
Consumers are becoming more impatient. We explore what this means for marketers and advertisers.
Is there a way in which brands can use technology to offer emotional engagement at scale?
Marketers are using intimate details of consumers so that advertising can be precisely targeted. But does this have long term dangers for brands?
Just how do we understand what customers want, when researching products and services that they have never experienced before.
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