What role do beliefs play in shaping the brain's patterns?

Beliefs play a significant role in shaping the brain's patterns. Our beliefs, whether they are about ourselves, the world, or others, have a profound impact on how our brains function. When we hold strong beliefs, our brains tend to filter information and experiences through the lens of those beliefs, selectively attending to and remembering evidence that supports them, while ignoring or downplaying contradictory information. This process, known as confirmation bias, reinforces our existing beliefs and strengthens the corresponding neural pathways in our brains. Over time, these neural pathways become more robust, making it easier for our brains to default to our established beliefs and resist change. Furthermore, beliefs have been shown to influence motivation, decision-making, and emotional processing, all of which can further shape the brain's patterns. In this way, our beliefs have a reciprocal relationship with our brain, continually shaping and being shaped by our neural networks.

This mind map was published on 9 August 2023 and has been viewed 107 times.