Maya Leshkowitz
I am a Phd student at the cognitive science department with a background in mathematics and computer science. I am interested in understanding how people form opinions and make decisions, and how unconscious mechanisms affect these processes. I also enjoy learning about the mind and space through painting, sculpting, dancing and meditating.
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[...] Maya Leshkowitz Ohad Livnat Innbal Menashri In this work, we propose an account of a fundamental paradox in modern human behavior – the discrepancy between the knowledge we want to gain, and the information we end up consuming. In the new model we develop, the paradox is a natural outcome of the temporal dynamics of two psychological factors that shape epistemic curiosity. The new model conceptualizes curiosity as a bi-dimensional psychological phenomenon, where one factor is the urge to approach information, and the other is an evaluation of how interesting it might be. In three experiments we validate the model. The last experiment examines a simple nudge that may help people align their epistemic behavior with their longer-term goals. [...]
[...] Maya Leshkowitz How do people make decisions based on complex multidimensional observations? This project examines two methods of decision-making from experience – using individual observations or groups of observations (corresponding, for example to attributes). To illustrate, when evaluating the service in a restaurant we might use our experience in the restaurant, or first group our experience by the waiter, and evaluate the waiters before deciding on the restaurant. Our findings lead us to propose a theory of decision-making from multidimensional information. We explore how principles of salience, relevance, and cognitive ease determine whether grouping occurs or not and what dimensions are used for grouping. [...]