Many wonder why some people continue making wrong decisions, even after experiencing their negative outcomes more than once?
A new scientific study provides an important explanation for this behavior, indicating that the reason may not be a lack of experience, but rather the way the brain learns from surrounding cues.
The study, led by researcher Giuseppe Di Pellegrino from the University of Bologna in Italy, explains that some individuals rely heavily on visual and auditory stimuli in their environment, such as images, sounds, or specific situations, when making decisions. Over time, these stimuli become "directed signals" that push a person towards a particular choice, even if that choice is erroneous or risky.
According to what was published in the "Journal of Neuroscience," researchers found that these individuals not only face problems with excessive reliance on surrounding signals but also have difficulty adjusting their beliefs when circumstances change. When the same signal becomes associated with worse outcomes, some people continue to follow it as if the previous experience had not occurred.
This difficulty in "re-learning" leads to the repetition of wrong decisions, and perpetuates improper behavioral patterns over time. This aspect is particularly prominent in those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders, addiction, and anxiety, where environmental signals become stronger than the ability to logically assess risks.
The researchers point out that people differ in their sensitivity to these stimuli and in their ability to update their beliefs based on experience. The research team in subsequent studies aims to understand this mechanism more deeply in patients, hoping to develop therapeutic interventions that help individuals break the cycle of repeated wrong decisions.
The study concludes that repeating mistakes is not always due to experience, but may be a reflection of the way the brain functions when processing signals and making decisions.
