why do our brains have an ‘auto-mode’? And if something happens we do stupid things like throwing away the spoon and putting the yoghurt in the sink?
In: Biology
The why is a bit difficult to answer, it is probably evolutionarily advantageous because of increased efficiency for example, but this is complete speculation on my side.
This automode is called habit in psychology, you can look that up for further info. But the essence is that repeated behaviors tend to ingrain themself in the brain through the formation of neural pathways, and increasingly turn subconscious. You can think of this like a forest, one person goes through and creates a tiny track, then as more and more people walk there it slowly becomes a wide path.
A big example for me and maybe for you if you drive is learning to drive. At first it’s overwhelming, you have to do many things at once, watch out for all sorts of things and rules. But as the habits form, it becomes easier and easier until you don’t even think about it. This also showcases the advantage of habits, our conscious processing is limited.
It is estimated that about 40-50% of our lives are governed by our habits, we don’t even notice usually.
From complete speculation, its used to reduce energy. The brain uses a ton of energy and if you know that you can safely so something without putting constant effort into it then by all means.
Think of even driving, you can go full autopilot and your brain doesnt even think its nessecary to commit things to memory.
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