Most of us engage in dichotomous thinking from time to time, but it becomes a cognitive distortion (incorrect thinking pattern)...
How the brain processes information
Your nervous system is composed of circuits made up of neurons that transmit messages throughout your brain and body. These circuits govern everything you think, do, say, and feel. Sensory circuits convey signals from your sensory receptors to the brain, while motor circuits send commands to your muscles. Simple circuits handle your automatic reflexes.
More advanced functions like memory, decision-making, and perception rely on complex circuits. These circuits begin to form before birth, as genes guide neurons in creating basic circuits in your developing brain. As you encounter new experiences and environments, these simple circuits evolve into more intricate networks. While most of this development occurs during childhood, it continues throughout your life as part of the process of enhancing your brain.
Your brain processes information through a complex network of neurons and synapses; it:
- Receives input from your five senses: Your sensory organs (like eyes and ears) capture information from the environment and convert it into electrical signals
- Transmits these signals through sensory neurone to specific areas of the brain: Visual information is sent to the occipital lobe, while auditory signals go to the temporal lobe
- Distributes information: Once in the brain, different regions handle the information:
- Association areas: These areas combine sensory input with memories and context, helping us interpret what we perceive
- Cognitive functions: The prefrontal cortex is key for higher-level tasks like decision-making and problem-solving
- Forms memories: The hippocampus and other structures encode information into memory, enabling us to recall past experiences and learn
- Responds after processing: Your brain formulates a response, which might involve activating motor areas for physical actions or generating emotional reactions
- Creates feedback loops: Your brain continuously updates its understanding based on new information, creating dynamic feedback loops that shapes future processing
The development of your brain’s circuits and its ability to process information depends on how stressed you are, your levels of fatigue, your exercise routine and your age amongst other factors.
