We’re constantly seeking explanations for why things happened. Why did a project fail? Why did someone behave the way they did? Why did one approach work when another one didn’t?

But explanations don’t just help us understand the past. They influence what we do next. The explanation we land on can affect what we learn, how we see others, and the decisions we make. And if we anchor on the wrong explanation, we can end up solving the wrong problem.

Tania Lombrozo studies how this works. She’s a professor of psychology at Princeton University and author of the new book, Why We Ask Why: The Science of Explanation and the Human Drive to Understand. Her research helps us understand why we’re so driven to seek explanations, how they shape the way we think and act, and how we can get better at using them in our work and lives.

Before we start, one quick ask. If you like the podcast, please take a moment to leave a rating on iTunes or wherever you subscribe. Your feedback sends a strong signal to people looking for their next podcast. And if you’re wondering what I’m curious about this week, be sure to listen to the end of the episode.

Resource Links

The Secret to Efficient Learning

Interview with Steven Sloman author of The Knowledge Illusion

The Team

Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here.

Support the Podcast

If you like the show, please rate and review it on iTunes or wherever you subscribe and tell a friend or family member about the show.

Subscribe

Click here and then scroll down to see a sample of sites where you can subscribe.