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The Bayesian Brain: An Introduction to Predictive Processing

July 28, 2018 Dominic Reichl

bayesian brain

The greatest theory of all time? The more I learn about the Bayesian brain, the more it seems to me that the theory of predictive processing is about as important for neuroscience as the theory of evolution is for biology, and that Bayes' law is about as important for cognitive science as the Schrödinger equation is for physics. That is quite an ambitious statement: if our brains really are Bayesian, which is to say that predictive processing is the fundamental principle of cognition, it would … [Read more...]

Blog embodied cognition, neuroscience, psychology, science

How the Brain Makes Emotions

July 11, 2018 Dominic Reichl

how the brain makes emotions

Here's the latest state of the art in the cognitive science of emotion, summarized in three words: Emotions are predictions More precisely, emotions are predictions generated by the brain using an internal model informed by sensory data and past experiences. What does this mean? Let's analyze that definition word by word, starting from the end: Past experiences. All your emotions are shaped by your memories of the past, categorized by distinct emotion concepts. Some of your experiences … [Read more...]

Blog body-intelligence, embodied cognition, emotions, neuroscience, psychology, science

On the Power of Thought

July 2, 2018 Dominic Reichl

power of thought

What is the power of mind? Definitions Thought = a mental process = a conscious cognitive process Power of mind = the causal efficacy of thought = the capacity of mental processes to create changes in the world Two types of mind power Natural causal efficacy. Thoughts indirectly influence the external world through intentional behavior. Spiritual causal efficacy. Thoughts directly influence the external world through psychic forces. The second type of mind power is … [Read more...]

Blog embodied cognition, psychology

How to Relieve Emotional Tension in the Face

March 6, 2018 Dominic Reichl

emotional tension face

Let's talk about your face. What's the state of your face right now? The muscular state of your face, that is. Don't look in the mirror. Don't touch your face. Just experience it from within, proprioceptively. Is your face smooth and impressionable like a child's, ready to spontaneously express whatever emotional impulse comes up? Or is your face tense and rigid, stricken by past emotions imprinted in its musculature, perpetuating old memories like reminiscent scars? Emotional distress is … [Read more...]

Blog body-intelligence, breathing, embodied cognition, mindfulness, psychology

What Archery Taught Me about Worry and Cooler States of Mind

October 4, 2017 Dominic Reichl

archery mental

Last Sunday I tried archery for the first time in my life. As always with such things, I was hooked immediately. If it weren't for dinner reservations, I wouldn't have stopped even after six hours of shooting arrows, blood-painting my arm, and straining my shoulder in a bliss of flowing joy. It took me a while to get somewhat comfortable with the primal weapon, but once I had roughly assimilated the basic motor patterns, I learned something fascinating. Whenever I wanted to hit gold, I … [Read more...]

Blog anxiety, embodied cognition, mindcoolness, mindfulness, psychology

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