The Science Behind Our Thoughts
Mar 11, 2022 | Written By Sophia Mai in Collaboration with Stephanie Cheung (Hidden Minds)
What Is the Study of How We Think?
Cognitive psychology is the study of how an individual perceives, processes, and stores information in the brain. It explores how people create thoughts, use language, and perceive environments. Thinking refers to how a person forms mental representations of the world using the information provided to produce complex ideas. Understanding how an individual processes information allows scientists to develop a better understanding of the brain and prevent cognitive disabilities. With the use of technology such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an imaging process that creates pictures of the body, scientists can have a better understanding of the regions of the brain linked to thought or how the brain reacts to certain stimuli.
Image from Northeastern News (Article Link)
The brain is a powerful tool that we use in our everyday lives that allows us to perceive our external stimuli and the world around us. Thought is the action of acquiring and understanding our world through our senses and experiences. While our thoughts are influenced by our genetics, experiences, and level of education, you can develop an understanding of your thoughts and opinions and change them.
What is A Neuron?
Neurons are nerve cells that are the basic types of cells that make up the brain and nervous system and are responsible for transmitting signals through the body. The neuron structure has three main components: dendrites, axons, and the cell body or the soma. Dendrites are the extensions or "branches" near the soma that receive electrical signals. An axon also called a nerve fiber, is a long structure on the other end of the neuron that sends information away from the soma to other neurons. The soma is where the nucleus is and where the cell's DNA is stored. Neurons in the nervous system do not touch; a synapse is formed between neurons, which obtain and process information as electrical signals. This creates an action potential. When they reach the end of an axon, it causes chemical neurotransmitters to be released, which can relay the signal to other neurons. The culmination of these signals creates a thought.
How Do Thoughts Relate To Our Senses?
A lot of our thoughts form when something appeals to our five senses. For example, we try to identify a sound whenever we hear something. Vibrations enter our eardrums and through the ear structures to the temporal lobe in the brain, which interprets the sound. When we see something, light enters our eyes through the retina. Photoreceptor cells convert them into signals that go to the occipital lobe in the brain, which processes visual information. Using our perceptions, we form conclusions about what we are sensing. This might launch a chain of thoughts.
What Can You Do?
Pay attention to your thoughts. We can change how our neurons fire by redirecting our attention to something. This is important in changing negative thoughts into positive ones since reframing them can lead to changes in attitude. When we are aware that a thought is not helping us and making us feel bad, acknowledge it.
Identify what caused those thoughts. Whenever you realize that you have a negative thought, retrace your steps and recall what you were doing a few moments ago. Once you identify the trigger, you can try to break the cycle. Instead of letting your thoughts go out of control, replace them with something that may evoke neutral or positive feelings. This is because our brains associate objects, people, and places with different feelings, which invoke different thoughts. The key is to break the association that causes negative thoughts. For example, if you get anxious about your grade after a test, try to take a few deep breaths instead of fretting over it. Although it might not change your grade, it helps calm your thoughts and gives you room for more constructive ones.
Get enough nutrients. Our brains require a lot of energy for us to function. When we are not getting enough nutrients, it can change our brain chemistry and influence our thoughts. Thus, it is harder to think and have a positive attitude when you are hungry.
Say positive affirmations. Although we may not always believe them, we are putting energy into creating positive thoughts. This can help put us in the right state of mind.
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Give a round of applause to our first collaboration! This blog was written with Stephanie Cheung at Hidden Minds (@hiddenminds1 on Instagram) who is working towards helping teenagers with their mindset and mental health. She was so kind, and it was a blast to work with her!
Bibliography
Begdache, Lina. “Ask a Scientist: Neurons Help Explain How Our Brains Think.” Binghamton New York News, 17 Mar. 2019, www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2019/03/18/ask-scientist-how-do-thoughts-work-our-brain/3153303002.
Cherry, Kendra. "How Cognitive Psychology Explains The Science Behind Mental Processes". Verywell Mind, 17 Feb. 2022, www.verywellmind.com/cognitive-psychology. Accessed 6 Mar 2022.
Cuncic, Arlin. “What Happens to Your Body When You’re Thinking?” Verywell Mind, 17 July 2019, www.verywellmind.com/what-happens-when-you-think-4688619.
Guy-Evans, Olivia. “Neuron (Nerve Cell) Types, Structure and Function” Simply Psychology, 15 Feb. 2022, www.simplypsychology.org/neuron.html. Accessed 5 Mar 2022.
Lewis, Ralph. “What Actually Is a Thought? And How Is Information Physical?” Psychology Today, 24 Feb. 2019, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-purpose/201902/what-actually-is-thought-and-how-is-information-physical.
Sussman, Oliver. “Neuroscience: overview, history, major branches” Simply Psychology, 9 Mar. 2022, www.simplypsychology.org/neuroscience.html. Accessed 6 Mar 2022.