#129 – Lisa Feldman Barrett: Counterintuitive Ideas About How the Brain Works

The existence of intelligent life in the universe remains uncertain, but it is a topic that both excites and saddens us. Lisa Feldman Barrett expresses hope and curiosity about the possibility of other intelligent life forms, finding comfort in the vastness of the universe. From a scientific perspective, the emergence of intelligent life on Earth is a complex process. While there are significant evolutionary steps involved, there is no guarantee that the same menu of life forms would arise again. However, the richness and complexity of life on Earth showcase the incredible diversity and beauty of nature. The question of why certain animals engage in seemingly purposeless behaviors, such as elaborate mating displays, continues to be a subject of debate within the scientific community.

Intelligence and the capabilities of the brain are not limited to humans. Lisa Feldman Barrett explains that different animals have unique brain structures that allow them to possess impressive abilities that humans cannot replicate. For example, octopuses can change color and texture, regrow limbs, and maneuver themselves into tight spaces. While the human brain has its own remarkable features, such as the ability to coordinate and connect with others, it is not necessarily superior to other animal brains. Barrett emphasizes that there is not one singular form of intelligence or brain structure, but rather a variety of ways that intelligence can evolve. So, the Menagerie of intelligent life may not look exactly like it does now, but it would undoubtedly be just as fascinating.

Humans, unlike other animals, have the unique ability to regulate and influence each other's nervous systems through the use of ideas and words. While animals rely on physical means such as chemicals and senses like hearing, vision, and touch to interact with and influence one another, humans have the power to communicate complex ideas and thoughts through language. By using words, we can have profound effects on others, even those halfway around the world, without the need for direct physical contact. This ability to control each other's heart rate, breathing, and actions through ideas highlights the power of language and its role in human social interactions.

The popular belief in the three-layered brain, with a reptilian core, a limbic layer for emotions, and a cerebral cortex, is inaccurate and not useful. Scientific evidence from molecular genetics and neuroanatomy suggests that the brain did not evolve in this way. Instead, a more accurate view of the brain is one that matches our best scientific understanding. It is counterintuitive but fascinating to learn that the brain doesn't simply react to the world, as it feels, but rather processes information in a context-sensitive manner. Emotions are not something to be dismissed or seen as a hindrance, but rather they can provide wisdom and guide our decision-making. The narrative of the three-layered brain lets people off the hook for negative behavior and undermines our understanding of the complexity of the brain.

Our brain functions primarily as a prediction machine. It constantly communicates with itself and our body, predicting and making sense of what is happening in the world based on past experiences. The brain receives sensory data from our senses and integrates it with our internal model, which is a storehouse of our knowledge and memory. It uses this information to anticipate and prepare for future events, taking into account what is most likely to happen. This predictive process helps the brain to efficiently manage uncertainty and respond effectively, allowing us to learn and update our internal model for better predictions in the future. Ultimately, prediction is at the core of our brain's functioning, with perception being an added feature on top of this predictive model.

The evolution of senses was driven by the need for motor control and not for consciousness or experiencing the environment. It is believed that the development of senses was triggered by an arms race between predators and prey, making it advantageous to have the ability to sense and react to the surroundings. The concept of free will is complex and debated among scientists and philosophers. While our intuition may lead us to believe in free will, it is important to recognize that our brain creates experiences that may not accurately reveal its inner workings. However, humans possess a level of sophistication in decision-making that goes beyond basic survival instincts seen in simpler organisms.

Our brains utilize past experiences to predict and make sense of the present and future. These past experiences, stored in our internal models, have been shaped by our physical and social surroundings since birth. However, as we grow and gain control over our lives, we have the power to cultivate new experiences that can change our internal models and ultimately shape our future. This process, which involves deliberate choices in what we expose ourselves to and how we spend our time, can be seen as a form of free will. While the deterministic nature of our brains and the ripple effects of early decisions may suggest a lack of magic, there are still elements of unpredictability and variability, such as stochastic firing of neurons and noise in the system, that contribute to the complexity and potential of the brain's information processing.

The brain relies on sensory input from the physical world and social interactions to develop and create an internal model of reality. The brain requires specific instructions or "expectable input" to wire itself in a neurotypical way. Without this input, development can be impaired. The physical world and social interactions provide the structure and statistical regularities that shape the brain's wiring. However, the brain is also capable of adapting and learning from new experiences and changing environments. It can modify its internal model and construct new senses or adapt to the absence of certain statistical patterns. The brain's capacity to wire itself may have limits, but it remains flexible and adaptable.

Human brains thrive on diversity. Whether it's the variety of sensory inputs we receive, the novelty of new experiences, or the freedom to make choices, diversity plays a crucial role in our mental well-being. Our brains are wired to seek out and embrace diversity in almost every aspect of life, except when it comes to each other. We struggle with diversity in relationships and interactions, which is a challenge we must overcome as a species. While our senses provide us with a limited perception of reality, there is much more to perceive beyond our physical capabilities. By recognizing and embracing diversity, we can expand our understanding of the world around us and find greater fulfillment in our lives.

Our brain constantly creates an internal model of the world, which helps us navigate and make sense of our experiences. This model is influenced by sense data from our environment and our own body. We have a control network in our brain that chooses from a distribution of possible answers to guide our perception and decision-making. This network is always active, even when we are not consciously aware of it. When we sleep, our model becomes less tethered to the external world, allowing for unconstrained experiences in dreams. Psychedelics like psilocybin and ketamine can temporarily loosen the tethers between our internal model and the world, requiring the guidance of a "guide" to prevent it from going completely off track.

The common view of emotion as being fixed, innate, and triggered only by external events does not align with scientific evidence. Emotions are not reflex-like responses, but rather constructed by the brain based on past experiences and context. The brain creates predictions by asking itself what it did, saw, or heard in similar situations in the past. This process of constructing categories or concepts continuously changes and adapts depending on the specific situation. Therefore, understanding emotions requires shifting from a classification model to a concept construction model. Emotions are not rigid entities, but rather flexible and dynamic based on individual experiences and circumstances.

Our experience of emotions is closely tied to our body's predictions and actions. When we feel anger, our body undergoes various physiological changes, such as scowling, smiling, or even crying, depending on the action we are about to take. These changes are predicted by the brain, which prepares the body to execute specific movements. The brain also infers our sensory experiences based on these predictions. Emotions are not fixed concepts, but rather constructed instances that include various variables and sensory inputs. Additionally, the understanding of concepts has evolved over time, with the realization that they are not based on a single definition, but rather prototypes or exemplars that vary depending on context.

Conceptual categories are formed based on the function they serve, rather than physical features. Our brains have the ability to conjure ad-hoc concepts, where the instances may look different, sound different, and smell different but serve the same function. This understanding aligns with Darwin's concept of variation in species, where he emphasized that biological categories have inherent variation. This variation is not seen as an error, but as meaningful differences that nature selects upon. Similarly, in human society, we create conceptual categories to make civilization possible. An example is money, where the physical attributes of currency vary across different cultures, but the function of trade and value exchange remains consistent. Our ability to form conceptual categories plays a crucial role in how we understand and interact with the world around us.

Emotions are subjective experiences that are influenced by our physical and social environment. They are not fixed entities governed solely by our biology. Emotions are like money - we give them meaning and construct them based on cultural and societal influences. We curate emotion concepts for young children just like we teach them about objects and animals. Infants are even capable of learning abstract emotion categories. However, emotions can also differ across cultures, requiring emotion acculturation when moving to a new cultural context. Additionally, the belief that women are more emotional than men is not supported by research findings, as both genders have similar experiences of emotions.

Our perception of emotions differs based on gender. Men and women tend to make different inferences about emotions when observing others. When men and women display the same facial expressions, people are more likely to think that men are reacting to the situation, while women are seen as expressing their inner state. This difference in perception can also extend to other aspects of life, such as evaluating teaching or leadership abilities. Women often face a catch-22, being seen as either too serious or weak. This highlights the importance of understanding and challenging our biases and expectations based on gender. By being aware of these biases, we can strive for more balanced and fair evaluations of emotions and behavior.

Our brains constantly make predictions and interpretations based on our past experiences and learned knowledge. This includes how we perceive and understand the emotions and thoughts of others, which is known as empathy. However, these predictions can be limited if we don't have sufficient information or shared experiences with the person we are trying to understand. This can lead to misunderstandings and even harmful consequences, such as underprescribing medication or making incorrect medical diagnoses. Developing empathy requires actively exposing ourselves to diverse information and perspectives to expand our understanding and avoid being experientially blind. Moreover, we should recognize that empathy is not a magical ability, but rather a skill based on the information available to us.

Empathy and understanding are crucial in bridging the divide between different groups and communities. Lisa Feldman Barrett highlights the importance of expanding our capacity to predict and imagine the experiences of others, such as police officers. By practicing empathy and putting ourselves in their shoes, we can gain a deeper understanding of their challenges and the difficult decisions they face. This perspective, rooted in the concept of the predictive brain, emphasizes the need to break down stereotypes and preconceived notions, whether they involve racial biases or perceptions of law enforcement. Ultimately, it is through empathy and a willingness to challenge our own assumptions that we can foster meaningful dialogue and promote positive change.

Our brain functions to control our body and maintain balance, not just to see or feel. It operates on a body budget, monitoring and predicting the needs of our body and making decisions accordingly. When our brain is running a deficit in the body budget due to metabolic imbalance or chaos, we experience discomfort and distress. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and depletion. In order to maintain predictability and reduce metabolic expenses, we adhere to social norms and seek familiarity. However, the current culture is filled with uncertainty, depleting our body budgets and causing distress. It is crucial to prioritize sleep, nutrition, social connections, and overall well-being, as depression and anxiety are a way of being in the world when our predictions aren't quite right.

Empathy requires learning and practice. Lisa Feldman Barrett emphasizes the importance of being curious about views that are unlike our own, even when it feels challenging. She highlights the effects of wealth concentration and how it leads to the collapse of civilizations. Barrett also discusses the need to understand the struggles of others who have different beliefs and experiences. However, she admits that she doesn't have an endless reserve of empathy, as stress and personal limitations can affect our capacity for empathy. To counter this, she suggests investing in self-care and preparation, just like fueling up before exercise, to ensure we have the resources to make empathetic efforts.

Empathy and kindness are essential for bridging the divisions in our society. The speakers discuss how the economic system, social media, and other factors contribute to the lack of empathy and understanding between different groups. They argue that investing resources to empathize with others is crucial for recognizing our common humanity. It is suggested that we should surround ourselves with people who promote kindness and love, both online and offline. Engaging in acts of kindness and making deposits in other people's body budgets can also have positive effects on our own well-being. Ultimately, it is our responsibility to choose whether we want to be a source of empathy and healing or contribute to pain and division.

Human beings are socially dependent creatures, and our well-being is deeply connected to our relationships and attachments. We evolved as a species to rely on each other for the regulation of our nervous systems and body budgets. Love and social attachment play a significant role in our lives, as they contribute to our overall health and longevity. Loneliness and social isolation can have detrimental effects on our physical and mental well-being, increasing the risk of various illnesses. Falling in love and maintaining long-term relationships can be beneficial for our overall health and happiness. Ultimately, the meaning of life can vary for each individual, but understanding the importance of social connections is a valuable aspect of our existence.

The meaning of life is not a singular, fixed concept. Lisa Feldman Barrett suggests that the meaning of life can be found in various moments and experiences. It can be about making the world slightly better, creating a path for others, or simply finding wonder in the beauty of the physical world. There is no one-size-fits-all meaning, but rather a population of dances, as Barrett describes it. She emphasizes the importance of immersing oneself in the present moment and embracing the sensations it brings. This conversation highlights the beauty of diverse perspectives on the meaning of life and encourages us to appreciate the unique experiences that shape our own understanding.