Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Parallel Processing

Parallel Processing

The brain processes sensory information rapidly due to parallel processing, which involves sending data across multiple neural pathways at the same time. This method allows the brain to manage various sensory qualities, such as shapes, colors, movements, and locations, all concurrently. For instance, when observing a forest landscape, the brain simultaneously processes the movement of leaves, the shapes of trees, the depth between them, and the various shades of green. This enables a quick and...

Neurons as Communicators of the Brain

Neurons as Communicators of the Brain

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, function as the primary transmitters of information throughout the body. Their ability to communicate through electrical and chemical signals is vital for every bodily function, from regulating the heartbeat to processing complex thoughts. Each neuron has three main components: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon, each specialized to facilitate swift and efficient neural communication.
Cell Body
The cell body, also known...

Hindsight Biases

Hindsight Biases

Hindsight bias leads you to believe that the event you just experienced was predictable, even though it really wasn’t. In other words, you knew all along that things would turn out the way they did. Can you relate this to the phrase "Hindsight is 20/20" now?

Organization of the Brain

Organization of the Brain

The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...

The Availability Heuristic

The Availability Heuristic

A heuristic is a general problem-solving framework (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974). You can think of these as mental shortcuts that are used to solve problems. Different types of heuristics are used in different types of situations, and the impulse to use a heuristic occurs when one of five conditions is met (Pratkanis, 1989):

Neural Circuits

Neural Circuits

Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Explaining or redefining mindreading?

The Behavioral and brain sciences·2020

Same author

The rationale of rationalization.

The Behavioral and brain sciences·2020

Same author

On track to a standard model.

Cognitive neuropsychology·2020

Same author

Mending wall.

The Behavioral and brain sciences·2019

Same author

Getting by with a little help from our friends.

The Behavioral and brain sciences·2019

Same author

Facing up to the hard question of consciousness.

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Mapping Cortical Dynamics Using Simultaneous MEG/EEG and Anatomically-constrained Minimum-norm Estimates: an Auditory Attention Example

Mapping Cortical Dynamics Using Simultaneous MEG/EEG and Anatomically-constrained Minimum-norm Estimates: an Auditory Attention Example

Published on: October 24, 2012

Expecting ourselves to expect: the Bayesian brain as a projector.

Daniel C Dennett¹

¹Center for Cognitive Studies, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA. ddennett@tufts.edu

The Behavioral and Brain Sciences

|May 14, 2013

Summary

This essay proposes a Bayesian framework for understanding how our brains project consciously perceived properties. It suggests that evolutionary pressures shape our expectations, including our expectations of our own expectations.

More Related Videos

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

A Tactile Automated Passive-Finger Stimulator (TAPS)

A Tactile Automated Passive-Finger Stimulator (TAPS)

Published on: June 3, 2009

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Mapping Cortical Dynamics Using Simultaneous MEG/EEG and Anatomically-constrained Minimum-norm Estimates: an Auditory Attention Example

Mapping Cortical Dynamics Using Simultaneous MEG/EEG and Anatomically-constrained Minimum-norm Estimates: an Auditory Attention Example

Published on: October 24, 2012

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

A Tactile Automated Passive-Finger Stimulator (TAPS)

A Tactile Automated Passive-Finger Stimulator (TAPS)

Published on: June 3, 2009

Area of Science:

Cognitive Science
Neuroscience
Philosophy of Mind

Background:

Conscious perception involves the brain's interpretation of sensory input.
The concept of 'projection' in perception is not fully explained by current models.

Purpose of the Study:

To establish a Bayesian framework for the "projection" of consciously perceived properties.
To explore the role of evolved expectations in conscious perception.

Main Methods:

Theoretical analysis based on Bayesian inference.
Examination of evolutionary pressures on cognitive mechanisms.

Main Results:

The brain tests sensory inputs against evolved expectations.
These expectations include specific affordances and self-referential expectations.

Conclusions:

A Bayesian approach can account for the projection of perceived properties.
Evolutionary design shapes our predictive processing, influencing conscious experience.