Belief, Belief Change, and Dissonance in the Brain Flashcards
What is the difference between a delusion and a belief?
A delusion is not usually shared by other people and the individual knows that. They can also be a lot more fluid
What is the relevance of ‘beliefs’ to neuropsychiatry?
▪️Delusional beliefs (psychosis)
▪️Negative self beliefs (depression)
▪️Getting ‘stuck’ (depression, autism)
▪️Expectations (FND)
▪️Cultural expressions (e.g. ED in the 90s, hysteria)
▪️Beliefs about causes of illness, treatments, and cures
▪️Scientific controversies (e.g. DSM changes, chronic Lyme)
What is a belief?
▪️Any idea our brain accepts as ‘true’
▪️Feeling of knowing
▪️Even if abstract knowledge that it could be wrong
What are the two main aspects of belief?
▪️A reasoned component (evidence)
▪️An intuitive, automatic component (feeling)
What theory fits with the two aspects of belief?
The dual process theory of cognition
What is the dual process theory of cognition?
A theory that describes reasoning and decision-making as a function of two systems:
▪️System I - intuitive, experiential, affective
▪️System II - analytical, deliberate
Can you distinguish belief from disbelief in the brain?
Yes, using functional imaging
What three distinct brain states were found in Harris’ (2008) study of functional neuroimaging and belief?
▪️Belief (accepting as true)
▪️Disbelief (rejecting as false)
▪️Uncertainty
Is the belief brain state dependent on the “category” of a belief (e.g. factual, ethical, religious)
No - they are independent
It is a general brain state for all belief
What brain activation is seen in belief?
Close to the default mode network state, with slight increase in VLPFC
What does the belief brain state suggest about belief and disbelief?
It is close to the default state, suggesting that very little is needed to decide something is true
Disbelief needs to override this default state
What did Harris (2009) find when comparing belief states of atheists and Christians?
No distinguishable difference between belief-disbelief contrasts of the two groups, suggesting that belief states are independent of the “type” of believer.
What does the study comparing atheist and Christian belief states tell us about the correctness of belief?
It is not to be found inside the brain
What have imaging studies shown about the inferential mechanisms needed to reach belief decisions?
Different mechanisms are required for different types of belief (e.g. religious, factual, testable, political)
BUT final decision shows no difference
Are true/false and certainty/uncertainty dealt with the same in the brain and how can this be seen in neuropsychiatry?
No
Psychosis = false beliefs with great certainty
Depression = false beliefs with little certainty
What is the pyramid analogy of belief (action opinion theory)?
We begin at the top of the pyramid together but the further we go down one side, the more certain we become and the more our belief differs from someone down the other side, creating polarisation
What is the Action-Opinion theory?
Actions and decisions influence our opinions and beliefs, likely to reduce dissonance
(Festinger, ~1950s)
What is cognitive dissonance?
A state of discomfort/distress when our beliefs are challenged, particularly about ourselvds
E.g. if we view ourselves as good but we do a bad thing, we become distressed to reduce dissonance
What role does distress play in cognitive dissonance
It acts as a force to reduce dissonance, especially when it relates to beliefs about ourselves
What brain areas show activation in dissonance induction and disagreement, and what are these areas associated with ?
▪️Anterior insula - negative arousal
▪️ACC - conflict monitoring
What brain activation changes do you see with dissonance reduction and resolution?
▪️Decreased activity in the anterior insula and amygdala (decreased negative and emotional arousal)
▪️Increased activity in ventral striatum (reward system)
How might the brain changes seen with dissonance reduction influence belief?
Decreased negative feelings and increased reward feelings may create a double reward system with strengthens the belief
How does activation in the negative arousal areas relate to ability to disagree?
Higher activation correlates with greater ability to disagree
I.e. The worse you feel when challenged, the more will disagree
How does activation in the negative arousal areas relate to ability to change your mind?
Higher activation correlates with greater inability to change your mind
I.e. The worse your feel when someone challenges you, the harder it is to change your mind
What role does the frontal pole play in belief systems?
Metacognition and introspection (thinking about thinking)
How might response speed change with belief strength?
Faster = more certain
Slower = more uncertain
