Learn about whether reading computer code is the same to your brain as reading another language; and a personality trait that could be key to lasting romance. Then, play along at home as we test your podcast knowledge in this month’s edition of Curiosity Challenge trivia.
Learn about whether reading computer code is the same to your brain as reading another language; and a personality trait that could be key to lasting romance. Then, play along at home as we test your podcast knowledge in this month’s edition of Curiosity Challenge trivia.
Is computer code the same as language to your brain? by Steffie Drucker
This Personality Trait Could Be Key to Lasting Romance by Sonja Hodgen
Episodes referenced in Curiosity Challenge Trivia game:
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Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/this-trait-could-be-key-to-lasting-romance
CODY: Hi! You’re about to get smarter in just a few minutes with Curiosity Daily from curiosity-dot-com. I’m Cody Gough.
ASHLEY: And I’m Ashley Hamer. Today, you’ll learn about whether reading computer code is the same to your brain as reading another language; and a personality trait that could be the key to lasting romance. Then, play along at home as we test your podcast knowledge, in this month’s edition of Curiosity Challenge trivia.
CODY: Let’s satisfy some curiosity.
Computers and programs need instructions to do what they do, and those instructions are written in what we call “programming languages.” They each have their own grammar and syntax like spoken languages do. But new research says that to your brain, learning to code is very different from learning to read and write.
And let’s face it: computer programming is SO hot right now. The emphasis on STEM in schools has led many to include coding as a regular part of the curriculum. We know a lot about the brain processes involved in learning math, music, and reading. But despite the fact that many kids grow up with technology all around them, we don’t know much about how the brain learns to code. Is it more like learning a language, or more like solving a math problem? No one’s quite sure.
So recently, MIT neuroscientists recruited 40 young adults to undergo brain scans while looking at snippets of code. The study focused on Python and ScratchJr, a programming language designed for kids 5 and up. The participants were well versed in each of these languages since they had all started coding as teens. As they lay in an MRI machine, scientists showed them pieces of code and asked them to predict what action that code would produce.
The team saw no activity in the regions of the brain associated with language. Weird, right? Instead, something called the multiple demand network lit up. This system typically goes to work when you have to hold onto several pieces of information at once. Usually, math and logic problems require the parts of this network that are in the brain’s left hemisphere, while spatial navigation requires the parts in the right hemisphere. But reading code activated the multiple demand network on both sides of the brain. That suggests that coding isn’t exactly like a math problem, either. It’s its own thing.
The researchers say it’s possible that language systems are involved when first learning programming skills and then fall by the wayside once you’ve mastered the language. That might be especially true in children, whose language systems are still developing. But for now, neither the math nor language camp can fully claim coding as their own.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, researchers have found a personality trait that could be key to a successful relationship — and it’s probably not the one you’d expect. That trait is humility. Turns out a good dose of humility is good for relationships. And that may be because the humbler you are, the more likely your partner is to forgive you when you do something wrong.
Humility can sometimes be confused with low self-esteem or low confidence. But that’s not quite right. Being humble just means you have the ability to accurately assess your weaknesses, but without denying your skills and strengths.
Past research has found that romantic partners rate humility as an important trait, and that humble people are more likely to initiate romantic relationships. So in 2019, a team from the University of Michigan dug a little deeper to explore the link between humility and forgiveness in romantic relationships.
They asked 284 couples questions about how humble they were, how humble they thought their partner was, and if they were likely to forgive their partner if they did something that was hurtful, like insulting them.
They found that people who felt their partner was humble were more likely to forgive them following a hurtful situation. But if they thought their partner was arrogant and less likely to admit to any personal failings, they were less likely to forgive them.
Interestingly, the team found that the strength of a person’s social network can play a role too. If someone has a lot of close, supportive friends and a humble partner, they'll be even more likely to forgive that partner after they’ve screwed up. But if your partner is arrogant, it doesn't matter how many great friends you’ve got — you’re still less likely to forgive them.
Why is the ability to forgive so important? Well, it’s because like it or not, pain is an inevitable part of any relationship. Mistakes happen. If you can find someone who recognizes that, your relationship may be stronger as a result.
It’s time once again for the Curiosity Challenge! Every month, I call up a listener and put them to the test by asking three questions from stories we ran on Curiosity Daily in the previous month. For this Curiosity Challenge, I talked to Brian Dunning, host of Skeptoid, a podcast that investigates myths and urban legends. I'm a fan! Let's find out how Brian did.
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Two out of three is not bad at all. How did YOU do? If you’d like to play next month, OR if you have a question you’d like us to answer on the show, shoot us an email at curiosity at discovery dot com, or leave us a voicemail at 312-596-5208!
CODY: Before we recap what we learned today, here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll hear next week on Curiosity Daily.
ASHLEY: Next week, you’ll learn about how simple word swaps can secretly trick your brain;
A hidden letter in the alphabet that you already sing;
Why just because you want something (like coffee) doesn’t mean you like it;
How hoarders’ brains see their belongings;
And more! Okay, so now, let’s recap what we learned today.
[ad lib optional]
CODY: Today’s stories were written by Steffie Drucker and Sonja Hodgen, and edited by Ashley Hamer, who’s the managing editor for Curiosity Daily.
ASHLEY: Scriptwriting was by Cody Gough and Sonja Hodgen. Today’s episode was produced and edited by Cody Gough.
CODY: Have a great weekend, and join us again Monday to learn something new in just a few minutes.
ASHLEY: And until then, stay curious!