Ep 7. Hidden Motives

Scientific American Frontiers season 15 episode 7 explores the concept of hidden motives in various aspects of our lives. Host Alan Alda delves into the world of animal behavior to uncover the underlying motives of why animals do what they do. He visits the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where researchers study rhesus macaques' behavior and try to understand the motives behind their social interactions. Alda learns how rhesus macaques form groups and maintains their social hierarchy, which reveals their hidden motives and intentions.

The episode also explores the motivation behind our choices as consumers and how companies use marketing techniques to tap into those motives. Alda visits The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania to talk to experts who study consumer behavior and learn about the subconscious factors that drive our purchasing decisions. By understanding what motivates us to buy certain products, companies can better market their goods and services to appeal to our hidden motives.

Furthermore, the episode dives into the world of medicine and the motives behind prescribing certain drugs to patients. Alda interviews Dr. Jennifer Miller, founder of Bioethics International, a non-profit organization that works towards improving the ethics of drug development and prescription. Together, they discuss the hidden motives behind the pharmaceutical industry and the need for transparency in clinical trials and drug development.

Finally, the episode touches on the hidden motives behind our political beliefs and how they shape our attitudes towards climate change. Alda interviews Dr. Dan Kahan, a professor of law and psychology at Yale Law School, who studies how people's beliefs and values affect their opinions on climate change. He explains how people's worldviews can shape their understanding of evidence and influence their opinions on important topics like climate change.

Throughout the episode, Alda reflects on the power of hidden motives and how they can affect our behavior, opinions, and beliefs. The episode concludes with a discussion on how understanding our own hidden motives can help us make better decisions in our personal and professional lives. Alda encourages viewers to question their own hidden motives and be mindful of how they may be influencing their decisions and behaviors.