In my article on predictive processing, I presented the Bayesian brain theory, which promises to explain everything about the brain and cognition. If true, the theory should be able to unravel some of the mysteries of the human mind. How is it possible, for instance, that a sham surgery and an actual arthroscopy for knee arthritis produce indistinguishable healing effects (Moseley et al. 2002)? And how could a surgeon in World War II operate on wounded soldiers with saltwater after he had run … [Read more...]
The Bayesian Brain: An Introduction to Predictive Processing
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...]
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...]
How an Unhealthy Diet Destroys Your Willpower
The causal relationship between willpower and diet is reciprocal: We need self-control to eat healthy, and we need to eat healthy to have good self-control. The first relationship is obvious, but what's the biological mechanism by which an unhealthy diet destroys willpower? Inflammation We typically think of inflammation as our immune system's response to physical injury or infection that causes redness, heat, pain, and swelling. But inflammation has cognitive and motivational effects as well. … [Read more...]
The Truth about Testosterone: Aggression, Sex, and Social Status
The Myth Testosterone causes violent and sexual behavior in men. Many people believe that testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, causes aggression and horniness in men. We see a hot blonde's firm ass and start lusting after her wet warmth; we imagine a sociopath terrorizing our family and start lusting after his sticky blood. In both cases, the reason is testosterone, right? Wrong. This is not how hormones work. Human behavior is much more complex. The Truth Testosterone modulates … [Read more...]