# Interesting Cognitive Science Facts

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-cognitive-science-facts/475230>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 1, 2008, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-cognitive-science-facts/475230 "2008-12-01T19:45:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-cognitive-science-facts/475230/1 "2008-12-01T19:45:35Z")

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I’m always excited to learn about various theories about how the human brain manages information and decision-making, such as [anchoring](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchoring), [availability bias](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Availability_heuristic), and [risk aversion](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_aversion).

I just listened to a radio program (“Choice” on WNYC’s Radiolab) that discusses one I hadn’t heard of before. The theory posits a sort of anatomical version of Freud’s id and superego located in discrete parts of the brain, and there is evidence demonstrating that when the superego part is occupied (by memorizing numbers, say), the id will dominate decision-making. Fascinating!

Anyway, share your favorite examples of these phenomena. I’d also love any reading recommendations people have (other than _Blink_).