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What is the most interesting fact about human behavior? Quora: A place to gain and share knowledge, enabling people to learn from others and better understand the world.
answer By Dr Abby Maronio, PhD in Psychology and Human Behavioural Analysis, Lancaster University Quora:
To me, there is nothing more fascinating than human behavior. As a behavioral scientist, I am continually amazed by the exciting discoveries we make and the vast areas we still have to understand. It’s hard to pinpoint the most interesting aspect of human behavior, but two areas stand out to me: the role of unconscious processes in decision-making and the profound influence that thought has on biology.
Let’s take a closer look at both.
Most of our decisions and actions are made unconsciously.
Psychological and neuroscience research has shown us that a significant portion of our decisions and behaviors are driven by unconscious processes. In fact, our brains are constantly processing information below the conscious level, influencing our choices and behaviors. This includes automatic responses, habits, and intuitions that guide our behaviors without us actively thinking about them. If you’ve read, for example, Kahneman’s work on “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” this will be familiar to you. Kahneman emphasizes that decision-making relies heavily on fast, intuitive processes rather than slow, careful reasoning. This means that many of our everyday actions, from what we eat to how we interact with others, are influenced by unconscious cognitive processes shaped by past experiences and learned behaviors.
Let’s take a very simple example that we can all relate to: Imagine you’re in a grocery store and reach for a particular brand of cereal without giving it much thought. This choice may seem spontaneous, but it’s likely influenced by a variety of unconscious factors, such as a past positive experience with that brand, its prominent location on the shelf, or even subtle cues from an advertisement you saw. Your brain processes these influences below the conscious level, guiding you to a seemingly automatic decision.
Thoughts can change our biology
Many people underestimate the power of thoughts. Believe it or not, thoughts can have a profound effect on our bodies. One example is the impact self-talk has on stress hormone levels. Research shows that negative self-talk can increase levels of cortisol, the main stress hormone in the body, increasing stress and anxiety. Conversely, positive self-talk and affirmations can lower cortisol levels and promote feelings of calm and well-being.
Another compelling example is the placebo effect, where a person actually feels an improvement in their symptoms after receiving a non-therapeutic treatment. Studies have found that the placebo effect can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. For example, a study using brain imaging techniques demonstrated that patients who received a placebo for pain relief showed increased activity in brain regions related to pain regulation, such as the anterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex. These changes are similar to those observed when patients actually take painkillers. Furthermore, the placebo effect is associated with the activation of the brain’s reward system, which involves the release of dopamine.
These findings provide strong evidence that belief in a treatment can lead to biological changes in the brain that can impact physical health outcomes. The placebo effect not only highlights the power of the mind in healing, but also illustrates the complex relationship between psychological factors and physiological responses.
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