Supernormal Stimuli

It’s common nowadays to talk about being dependent on our phones or addicted to social media. Over 50% of teenagers say that they “feel addicted” to their cell phones, and according to Dr. Mike Brooks, it may be due to a reaction that’s programmed into us. This is an evolutionary response to what is called “supernormal stimuli.” Dr. Mike Brooks, Director of the Austin Psychology and Assessment Center, joins us now by phone to explain more. He is a licensed psychologist and the director of the Austin Psychology and Assessment Center. He is the author of the book Tech Generation: Raising Balanced Kids in a Hyper-Connected World. Visit him on his website here.