Belief, Belief Change, and Dissonance in the Brain Flashcards

1
Q

What is the difference between a delusion and a belief?

A

A delusion is not usually shared by other people and the individual knows that. They can also be a lot more fluid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the relevance of ‘beliefs’ to neuropsychiatry?

A

▪️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)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a belief?

A

▪️Any idea our brain accepts as ‘true’
▪️Feeling of knowing
▪️Even if abstract knowledge that it could be wrong

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the two main aspects of belief?

A

▪️A reasoned component (evidence)
▪️An intuitive, automatic component (feeling)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What theory fits with the two aspects of belief?

A

The dual process theory of cognition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the dual process theory of cognition?

A

A theory that describes reasoning and decision-making as a function of two systems:

▪️System I - intuitive, experiential, affective
▪️System II - analytical, deliberate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Can you distinguish belief from disbelief in the brain?

A

Yes, using functional imaging

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What three distinct brain states were found in Harris’ (2008) study of functional neuroimaging and belief?

A

▪️Belief (accepting as true)
▪️Disbelief (rejecting as false)
▪️Uncertainty

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Is the belief brain state dependent on the “category” of a belief (e.g. factual, ethical, religious)

A

No - they are independent

It is a general brain state for all belief

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What brain activation is seen in belief?

A

Close to the default mode network state, with slight increase in VLPFC

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does the belief brain state suggest about belief and disbelief?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What did Harris (2009) find when comparing belief states of atheists and Christians?

A

No distinguishable difference between belief-disbelief contrasts of the two groups, suggesting that belief states are independent of the “type” of believer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does the study comparing atheist and Christian belief states tell us about the correctness of belief?

A

It is not to be found inside the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What have imaging studies shown about the inferential mechanisms needed to reach belief decisions?

A

Different mechanisms are required for different types of belief (e.g. religious, factual, testable, political)

BUT final decision shows no difference

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Are true/false and certainty/uncertainty dealt with the same in the brain and how can this be seen in neuropsychiatry?

A

No

Psychosis = false beliefs with great certainty
Depression = false beliefs with little certainty

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the pyramid analogy of belief (action opinion theory)?

A

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

17
Q

What is the Action-Opinion theory?

A

Actions and decisions influence our opinions and beliefs, likely to reduce dissonance

(Festinger, ~1950s)

18
Q

What is cognitive dissonance?

A

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

19
Q

What role does distress play in cognitive dissonance

A

It acts as a force to reduce dissonance, especially when it relates to beliefs about ourselves

20
Q

What brain areas show activation in dissonance induction and disagreement, and what are these areas associated with ?

A

▪️Anterior insula - negative arousal
▪️ACC - conflict monitoring

21
Q

What brain activation changes do you see with dissonance reduction and resolution?

A

▪️Decreased activity in the anterior insula and amygdala (decreased negative and emotional arousal)
▪️Increased activity in ventral striatum (reward system)

22
Q

How might the brain changes seen with dissonance reduction influence belief?

A

Decreased negative feelings and increased reward feelings may create a double reward system with strengthens the belief

23
Q

How does activation in the negative arousal areas relate to ability to disagree?

A

Higher activation correlates with greater ability to disagree

I.e. The worse you feel when challenged, the more will disagree

24
Q

How does activation in the negative arousal areas relate to ability to change your mind?

A

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

25
Q

What role does the frontal pole play in belief systems?

A

Metacognition and introspection (thinking about thinking)

26
Q

How might response speed change with belief strength?

A

Faster = more certain
Slower = more uncertain