Are our brains deceiving us ?
The human brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body, as it contains approximately 86 billion neurons that work in amazing harmony, performing complex tasks that sometimes exceed our conscious awareness. It is remarkable that most of the brain processes take place without our conscious knowledge or voluntary intervention. This unconscious activity is an essential part of our survival and adaptation to the world around us
Here’s a look at some of the tasks the brain is trying to perform behind the scenes, without our knowledge:
1.Forecasting and anticipating
One of the most important roles of the unconscious brain is to predict what will happen next, in order to minimize surprises and improve the chances of survival. The brain relies on our past experiences to build internal models of the world, using them to predict what will happen after a moment, be it the movement of a ball, the tone of a voice, or even someone’s intention
Example: when you are walking along a familiar route, you don’t need to focus too much to avoid hitting obstacles, because your brain predicts in advance where they will be.
2.Regulation of vital processes
We don’t control heart rate, digestion, or hormone secretion, but the brain – specifically the midbrain (Hypothalamus) – regulates these functions automatically. All this is done unconsciously from us, to ensure the stability of the body (internal homeostasis).
3.Processing of the senses
When you look at a complex scene or listen to music, your brain analyzes colors, shapes, tones, and rhythms, combining them into a unified experience, without feeling the processing stages. Vision, hearing and smell are all based on complex and very fast brain processes that take place behind the curtain.
4.Making unconscious decisions
Studies in neuroscience have shown that the brain may make a decision before we perceive and express it. For example, in neuroimaging experiments, activity in decision-making areas is observed up to several seconds before a person is informed of his decision
5.Information filtering
Every second we are exposed to millions of sensory inputs, but we are only aware of a few of them. The brain filters this information and selects what seems important, such as a sudden sound or unexpected movement, via the so-called “reticular activating system” (Reticular Activating System)
6.Controlling emotions and behavior
We often experience feelings such as fear or anxiety without knowing the obvious reason. This is due to the interaction of unconscious areas of the brain such as the “amygdala” (amygdala), which detects dangerous signals before we realize them and prepares the body for a response.
7.Building habits and routines
The brain prefers rest and reduced effort, so it turns repetitive actions into habits via the basal ganglia system. Driving, tying shoes or brushing teeth are all activities that have become “automatic” after repeatedly training your brain for them.
So, Are our brains deceiving us ?
Yes, our brains sometimes trick us, not on purpose, but because of the way they work to interpret reality efficiently and quickly. These “tricks” are often the result of mental mechanisms meant to simplify cognitive processing or protect us psychologically. Here are some of the ways our brain can trick us:
1. Cognitive Biases (Cognitive Biases)
Our brain relies on mental shortcuts known as biases. For example:
– Confirmation bias: We tend to believe information that confirms our previous beliefs, and ignore contrary evidence.
– Availability bias: We overestimate the likelihood of an event if we can easily remember it (e.g. fear of flying due to hearing about airplane accidents, even though they are rare).
2. Visual or auditory hallucinations
Under certain circumstances (such as fatigue, stress, or lack of sleep), a person may see or hear things that are not actually there, as a result of the brain’s misinterpretation of sensory signals.
3. False Memories (False Memories)
Our brains may “make up” details that did not actually happen, especially when recalling old events. Memory is not an accurate recording but a reconstruction that can be influenced by emotions or external suggestions.
4. Optical Illusions (Optical Illusions)
Some images make us see things that are not real because of the way the brain processes colors, shadows, and patterns. For example, two lines may appear to be of different lengths, even though they are equal.
5. Distorted perception of time
When we are bored or waiting, time seems slower. In moments of danger or intense pleasure, time seems to speed up. This is the brain’s trick for processing time.
6. Self-aggrandizement or psychological defense
In some situations, our brain may convince us that we are better than others or that we are not responsible for a mistake we made. This is known as “psychological defense mechanisms” and is meant to protect our self-esteem
Our brain never stops working, even during sleep. Many of his processes take place without our knowledge, in the background of our consciousness, to protect us and guide our behavior. It is this unconscious activity that makes us able to interact competently with a complex world, and with high flexibility. Understanding these processes increases our self-awareness, enhances our ability to develop conscious thinking and self-perception.