How Pop-Neuroscience Influencers Make Complex Brain Science Accessible
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The foundation of pop-neuroscience is credibility. Unlike random “brain hack” accounts and pages, influencers like Dr. Andrew Huberman establish credibility by constantly reminding their audience that he is a certified neurologist and a professor at Stanford. Ali Mattu repeatedly refers to his clinical background. This establishes trustworthiness and gives the audience a sense that the speaker is not fabricating the information.
Yet, credibility alone is not the only factor they use. These influencers balance this credibility with accountability. Before starting a topic, Huberman begins by sharing his personal experiences and struggles. This shows that he is not only a scientist but also a fellow human, just like everyone else. Blending credibility and personal vulnerability makes influencers relatable and establishes a connection with the audience. This persuades the audience, especially teens, to realize that science is not as difficult as they suppose and is relatable.
Pathos: Storytelling and Cultural Connection
Teens today are not persuaded by statistics or data but by stories they can connect to. Pop-neuroscientists constantly use anecdotes, cultural references, and case studies when explaining topics to incorporate science into daily life. For example, when explaining dopamine, Ali Mattu says, “just one more video,” to relate how dopamine works to scrolling on social media. This expression helps teens understand how dopamine and neurotransmitters work while using words and experiences they understand. Similarly, Huberman talks about neural focus by comparing it to sports performance, which resonates with athletes.
These stories create emotional relevance, proving to the audience that neuroscience is not an abstract idea but a lens that allows them to understand habits like endless scrolling, anxiety on exams, or procrastination. This emotional resonance doesn’t only bring attention but also motivates teens toward behavioral changes for the better.
Analogy, Simplification, and the Soundbite
The last criterion these influencers use is logic. Their logic and logical explanations simplify the complexity of science. Influencers can turn dense topics into analogies.
“Your brain’s ability to rewire itself is like updating an app,” is used to explain neuroplasticity.
The amygdala is described as “your brain’s smoke detector for danger.”
Synaptic pruning is described as “decluttering your brain’s closet.”
Instead of parsing scientific jargon and simplifying the meaning, these influencers put these terms into everyday language for the audience to understand. On TikTok, where attention spans are brief, influencers distill explanations into soundbites: “Sleep is your brain’s way of clearing out trash.” By starting videos with these phrases, it hooks the audience to want to watch and learn more. Thus, logic not only serves as clarity but also memorability.
The Synergy of Rhetorical Appeals
The effectiveness of pop-neuroscience lies in the synergy of credibility, connection, and logic. For example, Huberman shows credibility by saying, “I’ve researched circadian rhythms for decades,” then switches to connection by stating, “I used to struggle with late-night scrolling like many of you,” and lastly by explaining logic with, “View sunlight in the morning to reset your clock; it’s like pressing the brain’s start button.” All together, these appeals build trust, start connections, and bring logic to the audience all at the same time.
Critics and Risks of Oversimplification
Of course, not all responses to pop-neuroscience are positive. Critics argue that simplifying neuroscience into analogies and stories takes away the real meaning and oversimplifies the topic. For instance, while dopamine does drive reward-seeking behavior, portraying it as just a “pleasure chemical” ignores its roles in movement and motivation. Now, while these risks are true, leaving neuroscience trapped in jargon-heavy journals would exclude teens entirely. Influencers strategically come up with meanings for scientific terms and share them in a way that teens and young adults to understand without confusion. This move reinforces credibility, connection, and logic while keeping the scientific nuance.
Broader Implications: Pop-Neuroscience as Civic Literacy
The rhetorical strategies used by influencers not only educate the audience but also contribute to scientific literacy. In a world with endless misconceptions about vaccines, medications, and health, clear and simple scientific communication is essential. Pop-neuroscience equips teens with an understanding of science and concepts that help overcome misunderstandings. A 2022 Frontiers in Psychology study found that teens who are exposed to scientific communication online were more likely to fact-check info and show interest in STEM-related careers. This not only educates students and the audience but also inspires future scientists, doctors, and informed individuals.
Final Thoughts
Pop-neuroscience influencers succeed because they don’t make science a gimmick but use three techniques that hook the audience and make science appealing. Influencers start by proving their credibility, allowing the audience to believe them and create trust. Then, they connect to the audience by relating to their known personal experiences. This shows that while they are scientists, they are also human, like everyone else. And lastly, they apply logic to their explanation and reasoning, helping the audience understand the topic effortlessly. With this, it specifically benefits teens and young adults to find their identity, navigate through stress, and, as a whole, it makes a difference by enhancing the population with the simplicity of science.
Reference
Frontiers Science Communications: https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2022/08/29/psychology-teenagers-health-fake-messages?