Protecting ourselves + our goals from uncertainty + stress with cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Sarah Tashjian

In this episode of Psych for Life I chat with cognitive neuroscientist, Dr. Sarah Tashjian. Sarah is a Lecturer within the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences with her research focusing on using brain imaging and computational techniques to understand how humans make optimal decisions. She has a particular interest in the way individuals perceive threat, safety, and reward, and how these processes contribute to risk for mental health problems during adolescence and early adulthood. Listen in to our chat on how to protect ourselves and our goals during times of uncertainty and stress. We cover:- why all humans are motivated to survive, wanting to gain rewards to thrive and avoid threats to stay safe- how this innate drive is being impacted in our current VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) times- The protective power of personal goals- Tips to help us manage threats to our sense of safety and the importance of socialityPlus so much more!To connect with Dr Sarah Tashjian find her website and social media options below:www.sarahmtashjian.comTwitter: @TashjianSMSee Dr Sarah's recent interview on Life Matters for ABC Australia where she talks about healtyh risk taking behaviours in adolescence https://abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/?utm_content=twitter&utm_medium=content_Other references and resources from this episode:Chapter 9 A Mutualism, Affiliation and Status Seeking (MASS) Framework of Fundamental Affective Dynamics and Their Survival Benefits Dean Mobbs , Sarah M. Tashjian , and Brian Silston, in Christian E. WaughPeter Kuppens (Editors) Affect Dynamics, Springer.ISBN 978-3-030-82964-3 ISBN 978-3-030-82965-0 (eBook)https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82965-0Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website).If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.