Beneath the Surface: Unmasking the Marvels and Mysteries of Your Brain

Since time immemorial, researchers have been trying to understand the complicated nature of our brain and its behaviour. Before we discover some mysteries of the brain, take a moment and answer this question.

Do you think human behaviour is determined? Have you ever wondered why you are reacting to a particular situation in a certain way? Are there any patterns?

You might have probably answered that it depends on the situation. Well, you are not entirely wrong.

How you react depends on what is happening in your brain is determined by what is happening in your brain a second before, minutes before, long back to even the evolution. Yes, you heard it right. Your behaviour is also affected by the aeons of the evolution of human behaviour!! Is it unbelievable?

Let me explain with the Snake Detection Hypothesis Theory, which states that humans have evolved an innate ability to quickly detect and respond to snakes due to the historical coexistence between primates and these potentially dangerous reptiles. This hypothesis suggests that our ancestors, who were more adept at recognizing and avoiding snakes, had a survival advantage, leading to the development of neural mechanisms dedicated to snake detection. So, in a picture full of animals, you are more prone to identify snakes than any other animal quickly!!

So, does this mean that human behaviour cannot be predicted at all? Well, not really. Our behaviour here and now can be described as a function of the following factors:

Substantial inclination: This represents our deep-seated preferences, values, and motivations. These are the fundamental aspects of our identity, shaped by our unique personalities, beliefs, and past experiences. They are the compass guiding our overall behavioural tendencies, like a ship's inherent heading.

Experiential wiring: This refers to the intricate neural pathways formed by our past experiences. Every interaction, decision, and emotion affects our brain, shaping how we think, feel, and respond. Imagine these pathways as the ship's rigging, influencing its manoeuvrability and response to external stimuli.

Subconscious priming: This describes the subtle, unconscious influences that impact our behaviour without our immediate awareness. These can be external cues, implicit biases, or past associations that trigger specific reactions like an unseen current subtly steering the ship.

Reactions + Responses: This captures our immediate emotional and behavioural reactions to situations, as well as our more considered and controlled responses.

Environment: This represents the external context in which our behaviour unfolds. The people, places, and situations around us all play a role in shaping our actions, like the wind and currents influencing the ship's navigation.

Understanding the structure of the brain:

One of the earliest theories in understanding the structure of the brain is the Trinune theory. It states that there are basically 3 parts of the brain, which are as follows:

• Reptilian Brain (R Complex):Characteristics: This is considered the most primitive part of the brain, resembling the brain structure found in reptiles.Functions: It is associated with basic survival instincts, such as fight-or-flight responses, territorial behaviour, and reproductive functions.
• Limbic System (Emotional Brain):Characteristics: Situated above the reptilian brain, the limbic system is involved in processing emotions and forming memories.Functions: It plays a crucial role in emotional responses, social interactions, and the formation of emotional memories.
• Neocortex (Rational Brain):Characteristics: The neocortex is the outermost layer of the brain and is significantly expanded in humans compared to other animals.Functions: This part is associated with higher cognitive functions, including reasoning, language, problem-solving, and conscious thought.

Triune Brain theory was influential in its time, but more recent neuroscientific research has provided a more nuanced understanding of brain structures and functions. The concept of the reptilian, emotional, and rational brain divisions is now viewed with some scepticism, as the interactions between these components are more intricate and interconnected than initially proposed by the Triune Brain theory.

Next, let's delve into our decision-making processes.

Thinking fast and slow:

• System 1 - Fast Thinking:Characteristics: Fast, automatic, and intuitive. Operates effortlessly and quickly. Often relies on heuristics (mental shortcuts) to make decisions. Prone to biases and errors.Examples: Recognizing faces, Driving a car on a familiar route, Responding to simple arithmetic questions.Role: System 1 is essential for quick decision-making and responses when immediate action is required. It evolved as a rapid, energy-efficient system to help humans survive in their environments.
• System 2 - Slow Thinking:

Characteristics: Deliberate, conscious, and effortful. Involves careful reasoning and analysis. Used for complex problem-solving.Helps override intuitive judgments made by System 1.

Examples: Solving a complex math problem.Evaluating the pros and cons of a major decision.Learning a new skill that requires concentration.

Role: System 2 is responsible for more deliberate and thoughtful decision-making. It engages when a task demands sustained attention, critical thinking, and conscious reasoning.

You might wonder which is better. The answer is both. Yes, both thinking fast and slow is important. Acknowledging these distinct thinking systems allows us to understand better the biases and heuristics that shape our judgments

Now, with this understanding of two systems, try to answer this question: What happens when you hear a sudden noise in your locked room? Most commonly, you will be shocked, and fear is awakened in your body. Why is this the case? Doesn't your mind already know that you are in a safe space? The answer to this is that Human beings are hardwired.

When exposed to a sudden loud noise or unexpected movement, individuals instinctively react by flinching, tensing muscles, or even jumping. This automatic and innate response is thought to be hardwired into our nervous system as a survival mechanism, helping our ancestors react swiftly to potential threats in their environment. The startle reflex showcases how certain responses are deeply ingrained in our biology, highlighting the hardwired nature of some human behaviours.

Funny enough, there is a saying that states," You can take the person out of the Stone Age, but you can’t take the Stone Age out of the person." That's how much hardwired we are!

If you have reached the end of this article, thank you for bearing with me. Our brain is such a big mystery that if we have to walk 3 kilometres to know our brain, then what we know is only 3 inches, and through this article, I hope you have at least covered 3 millimetres!!

Here is one last thing to take away, which is my personal favourite - Human Beings are not good or bad. They are complex and beautiful!!