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HOW DOES OUR BRAIN WORK WHEN MAKING DECISIONS?
We go through the decision-making process many times in our lives. That is why sometimes we have to think quickly, and sometimes for days or even months. So how does the brain function in this process?
We make countless decisions every day, from the moment we wake up to the moment we put our heads on the pillow. This process can be very easy sometimes and challenging sometimes. In particular, making important decisions imposes a serious mental burden on us.
Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. told about the functioning of the brain’s decision-making mechanism, sometimes why we think for hours or days when making decisions in a snap, and ways to make healthy decisions.
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WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE DECISION STAGE?
In our daily routine, the deep brain region, which we call the ‘basal ganglia’, makes the decisions in our work. So, in order to automatically make quick decisions, the frontal region, which is the CEO of our brain, does not tire itself too much, of course, it still controls everything. The intensive work process of the brain begins when making decisions that are not routine. At this stage, the decision-making process turns into a complex process that includes many elements. According to scientific research, a person also uses the hippocampus memory center to find previous experiences in this situation, that is, when he encounters a difficulty in making a decision. Another element that comes into play when making decisions is human behavior. The vital conditions that a person faces, his current mood are also effective in making decisions.
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WHY DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE DIFFICULTY MAKING DECISIONS?
Some people are more unstable by nature than others, they have a lot of difficulties even when making simple decisions. Unstable individuals, according to studies, consist of people who are more perfectionist, more prone to negative emotions and psychological stress. Indecision is also associated with a tendency to interpret ambiguous situations as threatening and make the worst case judgment. Sometimes the problem with people is not that they have difficulty making decisions, but that they tend to make bad decisions. The main reason why people make bad decisions is because it can be difficult to manage an appropriate decision-making process, and therefore often use an unhealthy process.
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IS IT TRUE THAT WE MAKE DECISIONS EASIER WHEN WALKING?
When we start walking flexing our heart pumps blood faster, sending more blood and oxygen not only to the muscles, but to all organs, including the brain. Many studies have shown that even with very light exertion, people perform better on memory and attention tests. When we walk, the pace of our feet moves naturally, according to our mood and the rhythm of our inner speech; at the same time, we can actively change the pace of our thoughts by walking consciously faster or slowing down.
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DOES THE HEART CONVINCE THE BRAIN OR DOES THE BRAIN CONVINCE THE HEART?
The brain mainly functions as a source of our thinking about facts, our perceptions and the logical approach. The heart is responsible for our feelings and passions. It sends signals to our brain that inhibit or facilitate its activity. Most of the time, we make decisions without any hassle; choosing whether to have a cheese pizza or a fresh salad, or saying, “yes!” it’s like saying. But we do not realize the consequences of our daily decisions until they completely damage our lives. However, there are times when dilemmas are inevitable. For example, you are faced with two job offers (one makes sense, the other makes you happy. A prestigious company offers you a position with a salary twice your current salary and an advantage package that will prepare you for life, while your dream company offers you a position where you can realize your passions. The clock is ticking and a decision needs to be made. Well, which one do you choose? Is it the logical choice or the emotional choice? You have to make a choice) will you decide with your brain or with your heart? Although we all think that the answer is easy in such scenarios, the relationship between cognitive and emotional thinking leaves the decisionmaking process in the middle of a gray area. Research has shown that decisions are made through a combination of both cognition and emotion. As for the above scenario, listening to your brain can lead to more tangible success, but not listening to your heart increases the risk of regret. The studies conducted show that people listen to their hearts for general decisions and their brains for career-related ones. Buying a house, retiring and accepting a new job are the first three decisions people choose to make to use their brains. In a survey study conducted on a thousand people, only 7 percent of people listened to their heart when deciding whether to buy a house, while 93 percent used their brain. Similarly, 86 percent of people used their brains when deciding to retire and whether to accept a new job. Of course, some decisions have divided people in half. When deciding to start a family, 58 percent stated that they use their brain and 42 percent stated that they follow their heart.
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WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE HEALTHY DECISIONS?
When making a particularly difficult decision, do not rush, look at your former experiences, review your material and spiritual circumstances, try to imagine the result of the decision you will make. Also, plan the situation you will decide on and see if it is sustainable in your life. If you are still undecided, spread your decision a little time or get support from your closest ones.
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Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.