3 ways elephants and neuroscience can help you make better decisions - The Week

Oxytocin isn't just the "love hormone." And dopamine isn't merely "the reward neurotransmitter." And serotonin isn't just the "happy chemical."

It's an elegant way to understand the primary structure of the human brain. The old parts of the brain are like the elephant: A simple yet powerful creature, ruled by primal emotion and desires. The new brain (or prefrontal cortex) is the rider: Smarter and more rational but easily overpowered.

One paper published by a Duke University researcher in 2006 found that more than 40 percent of the actions people performed each day weren't actual decisions, but habits.

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.