Nature & Nurture #62: Dr. Isabelle Brocas - Neuroeconomics & Decision Making

Dr. Isabelle Brocas is an economist, neuroscientist, Professor at the University of Southern California, and co-director of the Los Angeles Behavioral Economics Laboratory and the Theoretical Research in Neuroeconomic Decision Making Institute.

In this episode we discuss, broadly, how neuroeconomics emerged as an interdisciplinary field combining economics and neuroscience in order to better explain what makes humans rational or irrational in different situations. We discuss game theory, the concept of rationality, Isabelle’s own research on neurodevelopment and strategic decision-making in children, the nature and nurture debate in the context of the development of economic reasoning, and finally, intervention studies which may help improve education and well-being in disadvantaged youth.

Learn more about Isabelle’s work at: https://isabellebrocas.org/