Do you have any thoughts on the apparently increasingly popular theory of the "predictive brain." I find it fascinating that sometimes our pre-existing thoughts or biases can actually alter what we sense via the electronic impulses that are in fact ALL that our actual brain senses. I for one have had experiences of "seeing" something that isn't there until my mind catches up and corrects the perception. I'm not talking hallucinations. I'm referring to very fleeting moments. You think a motion from the corner of your eye is the cat creeping up, but in fact it is a darker spot from your floaters, for example.
I think its a fascinating theory and intend to cover a lil bit of it in the next chapter which looks more at how belief structures cognition. It is compelling and in one sense, its hard to argue against the overall framework. But as far as I know, its also pretty fresh and some of the science isn’t in yet. My sense is that much of the theory is valid but the computational framework is maybe not very well tested yet and based on more theoretical modeling. But I need to get up to speed on the latest too, so take with a giant grain of salt.
If it does survive further research it could have great explanatory power. For example (and this goes beyond the books I have read) could it be possible that a cop who grew up during periods of great racial unrest might actually SEE a suspect who is holding a phone as holding a gun? Even if that cop has consciously gone way beyond the prejudices of his youth. It could even apply to black cops. Clearly if this applies, training of cops would have to alter to counter the problem.
100%. That framework seems pretty certain to me. I’m not 100% sure how this squares with the predictive model, but my sense is that this occurs mostly during “hot takes” where there is incomplete/confusing sensory data, often due to fight or flight response shutting down thought and motivating immediate action. Exactly the situation cops face routinely.
Hope you check out the next one, I dive into a really fascinating psychological model called the dual process motivational theory that explains a whole lot around issues surrounding prejudice, its individual psychology and group dynamics. It is very relevant to our current political dysfunctions
Yes, it is in the "hot takes" that the brain doesn't have a chance to correct its erroneous predictions. Book I like best on this is Andy Clark's The Experience Machine. I have several others stacked up on my TBR pile.
Its a topic that fascinates me, hope you enjoy. I’m especially interested in finishing the next chapter, where this builds to hopefully give some useful insight to how cognition and beliefs relate to our current political dysfunction.
Do you have any thoughts on the apparently increasingly popular theory of the "predictive brain." I find it fascinating that sometimes our pre-existing thoughts or biases can actually alter what we sense via the electronic impulses that are in fact ALL that our actual brain senses. I for one have had experiences of "seeing" something that isn't there until my mind catches up and corrects the perception. I'm not talking hallucinations. I'm referring to very fleeting moments. You think a motion from the corner of your eye is the cat creeping up, but in fact it is a darker spot from your floaters, for example.
Great question Susan.
I think its a fascinating theory and intend to cover a lil bit of it in the next chapter which looks more at how belief structures cognition. It is compelling and in one sense, its hard to argue against the overall framework. But as far as I know, its also pretty fresh and some of the science isn’t in yet. My sense is that much of the theory is valid but the computational framework is maybe not very well tested yet and based on more theoretical modeling. But I need to get up to speed on the latest too, so take with a giant grain of salt.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
If it does survive further research it could have great explanatory power. For example (and this goes beyond the books I have read) could it be possible that a cop who grew up during periods of great racial unrest might actually SEE a suspect who is holding a phone as holding a gun? Even if that cop has consciously gone way beyond the prejudices of his youth. It could even apply to black cops. Clearly if this applies, training of cops would have to alter to counter the problem.
100%. That framework seems pretty certain to me. I’m not 100% sure how this squares with the predictive model, but my sense is that this occurs mostly during “hot takes” where there is incomplete/confusing sensory data, often due to fight or flight response shutting down thought and motivating immediate action. Exactly the situation cops face routinely.
Hope you check out the next one, I dive into a really fascinating psychological model called the dual process motivational theory that explains a whole lot around issues surrounding prejudice, its individual psychology and group dynamics. It is very relevant to our current political dysfunctions
Yes, it is in the "hot takes" that the brain doesn't have a chance to correct its erroneous predictions. Book I like best on this is Andy Clark's The Experience Machine. I have several others stacked up on my TBR pile.
Greatly appreciate this Ed. I look forward to sitting down with my next cup of coffee, for a slow careful read.
Thanks for saying so Paul.
Its a topic that fascinates me, hope you enjoy. I’m especially interested in finishing the next chapter, where this builds to hopefully give some useful insight to how cognition and beliefs relate to our current political dysfunction.
Stay tuned!
I look forward to this. Keep at it.