Over the years, scientists were able to unravel many of the mysteries and the shortcomings of the human brain, buried deep in our psyche, writes BrightSide.
That is why today we urge a trip in your own head, which will reveal more about the way the mind functions.
1.Constantly changing your memories
We tend to look at our memories as short films or videos. As things stand on some "shelf" in the brain - safe and unchangeable. It turns out that memories of past events change every time you decide to recall them.
Their content is influenced by depletion of memory and of events in the recent past. For example, you do not have clear memories of all the people who have joined the family a few years ago, but because your aunt never misses these events, your mind eventually include it in memory - even if it is absent in this case.
2.We can have only a limited number of friends
Have you heard about the number of Dunbar? According to psychologists and sociologists who have it figured out, it shows the maximum number of people with whom one can maintain close ties. So even if you have thousands of "friends" on Facebook, you can maintain meaningful communication with only 50-200 of them.
3.We feel happier when we are busy
Imagine that you are at the airport and need to take the luggage. Ten minutes later you reach area request and immediately collect his suitcase.
And now, a little different situation. You shortcut and managed to get to the baggage carousel in just two minutes. Then leave the remaining eight minutes while waiting for the suitcase to appear.
In both cases you do not need more than ten minutes to pick up the luggage. In the second scenario, however, you probably feel more anxious and unhappy. This is due to the fact that our brain does not like to be idle, preferring to stay busy instead. And for every completed task, he rewards us with dopamine, the hormone of happiness.
4.We can remember only 3-4 things at once
Research shows that our brain can not store more than 3-4 count information at once. Furthermore, this information can be reserved for 20-30 seconds. Then, we forget it, unless it is recalled again and again.
For example, you drive and talk on the phone (do not do this!). The person on the other end gives you a number, but you can not write, so try to remember. You repeat the numbers again and again to keep it in your short-term memory until you turn it off and save it.
Incidentally, the fact that we find it easier to remember 3-4 count information at once explains why so much consist of 3-4 digits or lines. This applies to telephone numbers and credit cards and even to the paragraph that you read!
5.Our visual perception of things differ from the actual appearance
Our brain constantly processes information received from sense organs. It analyzes visual images and interpret them in a form available to us. For example, why can quickly read text, is that not really read it. We just noticed first and last letters of each word and intuitively fill in the rest, based on our past experience.
6.We spend 30% of their time dreaming
Imagine that you work by studying important document. Suddenly you realize that you have read the same sentence three times in a row. Instead of analyzing the text, your mind wanders somewhere.
Scientists from the University of California say that every day we spend 30% of their time dreaming. Sometimes (for example, during long trips) this proportion increased to 70%, but there is nothing wrong in it. Studies show that people who like to wander in the clouds are more creative. Also, they are better at solving problems and getting rid of stress.
7.We can not ignore three things in life: food, stress and danger
Have you ever wondered why people always stop to watch after the accident? Although observers found that the view is exhausting, they continue to watch.
Such curiosity is triggered by our "old brain" - part responsible for survival. Its function is to constantly scan the environment, putting (and answering) 3 questions: "Can I eat this? Can I have sex with this? Can I die from this?" Food, sex and danger are still things that are essential for it to stay alive, so we can not ignore them.
8.We need as many opportunities
In a recent study, scientists placed two tables in a supermarket. At first there are 6 types of jam, while the second - 24. As a result, 60% of visitors have stopped to try the product at the second table, but when it came time to buy something, the first proved to be four times more popular .
Why is this happening? As we already know, our brain can focus information to the disc 3-4 things at once. Therefore making the final decision is easier when we have limited options (naprime 6 kinds of jam).
However consciousness us constantly yearns for a change. We like to look at a wide variety of products. It is therefore more likely to be discussed over the table on which there are 24 types of jams, although finally will probably buy a familiar brand that always take.
9.The majority of our decisions are subconscious
We would like to believe that all our actions are the result of careful planning, but in fact 60-80% of our daily decisions are made subconsciously. We do not think to do these things just do them.
Every second our brain receives millions of pieces of data. To prevent excessive discharging of the work is transmitted to the subconscious. Pressing the keys off lights, closing the door - perform such actions automatically, without thinking.
Unfortunately, this often leads us to doubt ourselves. Thus we arrive at the office and izvednazhm begin to wonder if we turned off the iron or not.
10.Multitasking does not exist
Studies show that we can perform only one cognitive activity at once. Try to talk and read simultaneously. Or write a letter while in the meantime listen to an audiobook. Most likely nothing will get - our brain just can not focus on two tasks simultaneously.
However, there are exceptions. If the second activity is purely physical and automatic (eg something that we do every day), then the combination of both tasks possible. As walking and speaking by phone. But even then there is a chance to drop the thread of the conversation.
Source: PsychCentral.com
Source Images: https://pixabay.com