26.10.2011 How does the brain control our reactions?

Dr. Christian Beste, Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

During our normal life we are always caught in a cross-fire of sensory stimulations. Going shopping we might see a nice jacket in a shop window, while at the end of the road a neighbour emerges waving to us. At the same time we realize how hungry we are and that there lies a smell of fresh bread in the air. How does our brain decide which stimuli are important for us and how we should react? Dr. Christian Beste’s lecture gives answers to these questions and explains which tricks can be used to choose the right stimulus and if some people are better than others in doing this.