<2> Rethinking Emotion: It May Not Be What You Think
<3> The Complex Nature of Emotions
Emotions are a fundamental aspect of the human experience, influencing our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions with the world around us. However, the conventional understanding of emotions as mere reactions to external stimuli may be oversimplified. Recent research suggests that emotions may be more closely tied to the brain’s predictions about the world than to the actual events themselves.
<4> The Predictive Brain
According to the predictive brain theory, the brain is constantly generating predictions about the world based on past experiences and learning. These predictions are then compared to the actual sensory input, and any discrepancies are used to update the brain’s expectations. Emotions may arise when the brain’s predictions are not met, but this does not necessarily mean that the emotion is a direct response to the external stimulus.
<5> Emotions as Predictive Errors
Research has shown that emotions can be triggered by situations that are not necessarily threatening or punishing, but rather by situations that violate the brain’s expectations. For example, a person may feel anxious when they are in a situation that is not actually threatening, but rather because their brain is predicting a threat based on past experiences.
<6>