New Research Shows No Independent Decision-Making Center in the Brain
A scientific study conducted in the US revealed that human behaviors are shaped not by a central brain decision, but by the interaction of the brain, body, and environment.
A new scientific study conducted in the US has shown that there is no independent and central decision-making mechanism in the brain, and that human actions emerge from the interaction of sensory and motor systems.
A New Approach to Traditional Theories
Prof. Dr. Tom James from the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University in the US argued that the brain does not possess a linear system operating in the order of 'first perceiving, then thinking, and finally acting.' The research noted that while sensory and motor processes have concrete counterparts in the brain, there is no presumed independent center between the two.
No Central Controller Exists
Stating that people view their actions as the result of decisions based on desires, beliefs, and intentions, Prof. Dr. Tom James emphasized that decision-making is a useful concept for explaining daily life, but there is no single center inside the brain that manages this process.
Explanation via Robot Example
To explain his view, Prof. Dr. Tom James gave the example of simple robotic systems. He stated that even a robot that can only perceive its environment and move can look as if it is making conscious decisions from the outside when following walls.
Future Scientific Focus
Experts reported that searching for a single central controller inside the brain that manages all decisions is scientifically insufficient. It was stated that cognitive neuroscience in the future should focus not only on mental processes, but also on the influence of the body and the environment.