π Society π Neuroscience

Neuroscience: our relationship with intelligence

5 episodes

1

C Factor: a collective IQ
2

Vaccination against the “infodemic”
3

Addiction: a tax for social media like tobacco
4

Mind of an AI: from curiosity to autonomy
5

Vivid memories: looking deep into the pre-wired brain

neuroscienceEtSociete_02intelligenceCollectiv

Épisode 1/5

C Factor: a collective IQ

Pierre-Marie Lledo, Research Director at CNRS, Head of Department at Institut Pasteur, and member of the European Academy of Sciences

On February 18th, 2021

4 min reading time

Pierre-Marie Lledo

Research Director at CNRS, Head of Department at Institut Pasteur, and member of the European Academy of Sciences

Key takeaways

For Prof. Pierre-Marie Lledo, the idea that a group of people is less intelligent than the sum of its parts is incorrect.
As such, researchers have created a “C factor” which can be used to evaluate collective intelligence based on the individual IQ model.
This “C factor” takes into account more than just the IQ of an individual: it is enhanced by improving interactions and diversifying profiles within the group.
Prof. Lledo says that companies should promote collective intelligence and replace rigid hierarchical structures by a more flexible mode of operation.

Épisode 2/5

Vaccination against the “infodemic”

Patrice Georget, Lecturer in Psychosociology at the University School of Management IAE Caen

On February 18th, 2021

4 min reading time

Patrice Georget

Lecturer in Psychosociology at the University School of Management IAE Caen

Key takeaways

To function optimally the brain simplifies information to process it more efficiently, often resorting to cognitive biases.
Cognitive biases, however, can also reinforce prejudice without hard evidence, create false memories and drive us towards sensationalism.
Fake news and conspiracy theories often rely on these cognitive biases to irrationally question values we are not used to defending because we take them for granted, such as freedom of speech.
But there are ways to strengthen one’s “immunity” to fake news, especially by learning how to identify the mechanisms of these cognitive biases, or by developing critical thinking.

Épisode 3/5

Addiction: a tax for social media like tobacco

James Bowers, Chief editor at Polytechnique Insights

On February 18th, 2021

5 min reading time

Samuel Veissière

Assistant professor of Psychiatry at McGill University, Montreal

Key takeaways

According to Dr. Samuel Vessiere smartphone addiction is a by-product of their use to access social media.
In recent years, numerous mental health issues such as anxiety and depression have been linked to smartphone use and continues to rise.
Our desire to access social information, he says, comes from our natural psychological drivers, which push us to keep check of our social status.
Whilst only 0.6% of the population are addicted to hard drugs, as much as 40% may be addicted to smartphones. Dr. Vessière therefore calls for stricter regulations or even taxation of social media, similar to those of other addictive substances like tobacco.
With his research team, they suggest a list of 10 ways to reduce screen time in the form of a digital detox as way to reduce negative effects.

Épisode 4/5

Mind of an AI: from curiosity to autonomy

Agnès Vernet, Science journalist

On February 18th, 2021

4 min reading time

Pierre-Yves Oudeyer

Inria Research director and head of FLOWERS team at Inria/Ensta Paris (IP Paris)

Key takeaways

Research in artificial intelligence feeds off cognitive sciences, but now neurobiology is also making progress thanks to algorithmic models.
Curiosity, referred to as “intrinsic motivation” by psychologists, is a necessary trait for independent learning in children.
For Dr. Pierre-Yves Oudeyer, this mechanism can also be applied to machines.
As such, his research explores human cognition to improve artificial intelligence… and vice-versa.

Épisode 5/5

Vivid memories: looking deep into the pre-wired brain

James Bowers, Chief editor at Polytechnique Insights

On February 18th, 2021

3 min reading time

Emmanuel Beaurepaire

CNRS Research Director at the Laboratory of Optics and Biosciences of the École Polytechnique (IP Paris)*

Key takeaways

Research shows that neurones in the hippocampus region of the brain are organised very early in life to provide a basis for memory.
Expert in multiphoton microscopy, Dr. Emmanuel Beaurepaire and his colleagues aim to study this process in a European-funded project, HOPE.
Researchers will first label neurones with colours in a technique developed in 2007 by a team at Harvard University, referred to as ‘brainbow’.
Then, they can use three-photon microscopy to study the neurones and their projections in the hippocampus as they develop over the lifetime of a mouse.

Contributors

Pierre-Marie Lledo

Research Director at CNRS, Head of Department at Institut Pasteur, and member of the European Academy of Sciences

Pierre-Marie Lledo’s research focuses on the adaptation and regeneration of neurons in the brain, and their interactions with the immune system. He is Research director at the CNRS, head of the Genes and Cognition laboratory, and director of the Perception and Memory unit and of Plasticity and Development of the Nervous System at the Pasteur Institute.

Other contributions

Personalised, preventive, predictive, participatory: the 4Ps of tomorrow's medicine

Living without ageing: myth or reality?

Morality, a by-product of natural selection?

Depression and gut microbiota: “A medical revolution awaits!”

C Factor: a collective IQ

Patrice Georget

Lecturer in Psychosociology at the University School of Management IAE Caen

Patrice Georget is a lecturer and researcher in psycho-sociology at the IAE Caen University school of management, which he directed from 2015 to 2020. He has been an industry consultant in diversity management and risk prevention. He has been an expert for the APM (Association Progrès du Management) since 2009 and a GERME speaker.

Other contributions

How can we prevent the growing risk of burnout at work?

Can we develop our intuition to counter misinformation?

Three traps set by stereotypes

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Three keys to making good decisions

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James Bowers

Chief editor at Polytechnique Insights

James Bowers has a PhD in molecular biology from the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle and an MSc in Science Media Production from Imperial College London. He has six years of experience creating engaging scientific media in digital, TV and other outlets in the UK and France. Most recently, James worked as a science communication consultant and trainer for a French agency, Agent Majeur, for three years where he co-authored the book, Sell Your Research: Public Speaking for Scientists published by Springer.

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Zoonoses, diseases passing from animals to humans, have tripled in the last century

Internet of Things: 50 billion greenhouse gas producers?

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TESSA: a tool for biodiversity-based decisions

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Agnès Vernet

Science journalist

After her initial studies in molecular biology, Agnès Vernet trained as a science journalist at ESJ-Lille. For the past 14 years, she has been writing for various media, scientific magazines, professional titles and general press, in France and Switzerland. Since 1st February 2021, she is the elected President of the French association of science journalists (AJSPI).