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Brain craves certainty from "summary" of Your Brain at Work by David Rock
The brain craves certainty. It is a fundamental principle of neuroscience. When faced with uncertainty, the brain perceives it as a potential threat, triggering a stress response. This is because uncertainty requires more mental energy to process and evaluate, which can be draining for the brain. In an effort to conserve energy, the brain seeks out certainty and predictability in order to feel safe and in control. The brain is wired to seek out patterns and make predictions based on past experiences. When these predictions are accurate, the brain rewards itself with a dose of dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter. This reinforces the brain's preference for certainty and encourages it to continue seeking out predictable outcomes. When faced with uncertainty, the brain goes into overdrive trying to make sense of the situation and come up with a solution. This can lead to cognitive overload, where the brain becomes overwhelmed with too much information to process. As a result, decision-making becomes difficult, and the brain may resort to heuristic shortcuts to cope with the uncertainty. In today's fast-paced world, uncertainty is a common occurrence. Whether it's a new project at work, a challenging relationship, or an unexpected event, we are constantly bombarded with situations that challenge our sense of certainty. Learning to manage uncertainty is crucial for maintaining mental well-being and cognitive performance. By understanding the brain's natural inclination towards certainty, we can take steps to reduce uncertainty in our lives. This can be done by creating routines, setting clear goals, and breaking tasks down into manageable steps. By providing the brain with a sense of structure and predictability, we can help reduce stress and improve cognitive functioning.- The brain craves certainty as a way to conserve energy and feel safe. By recognizing this fundamental principle of neuroscience, we can take steps to manage uncertainty and improve our mental well-being.
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