Reframing Our Experiences: The Expectation Effect

The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Change Your World
by David Robson

The brain interprets visual signals based on what it believes is being perceived. Sometimes, it adjusts what you perceive based on the signals, but sometimes, "its predictions may be so strong that it chooses to discount some signals while accentuating others." (p. 13)

This book surprised me on every page. It's not just that we are deluding ourselves, or, rather, that are brains are deluding us, but that our brains actually create physiological changes in our bodies in anticipation of a physical response that creates the physical response. That seems confusing, but the evidence is there. If, for example, you believe you will have a headache in the morning, your brain may literally initiate physiological processes in your body that manifest as physical pain. You do have a headache, but perhaps it's only because your brain has caused it.

Friends, I have had headaches daily since I had Covid in December 2020. Years of headaches. I tried medicines, but the side effects were worse than the headaches, so I've just muddled through. Reading this book hasn't cured my headaches, but I started reminding myself every time I felt like my head hurt that this pain is temporary, that I will not always have headaches. And honestly, I think they've gotten better. Whatever part of these headaches is caused by my belief that I'm going to have a headache - I want to be done with that part.

This book provides examples, evidence, and recommendations for how to reframe our experiences to expect better outcomes. It doesn't promise better outcomes, but gives us the opportunity to imagine and anticipate them, encouraging our brains to work for our best interests across social situations, our education and career goals, and our physical and mental health.

I almost believe this book is essential reading. I intend to add it to our health curriculum.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. I borrowed this book from the library and later purchased a copy at regular price. Links to Amazon, Bookshop, and PaperBackSwap are affiliate links.

January 2022 Book Reports

 

Wisdom from the Lives and Letters of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal edited by Louise Perrotta - link to my post (purchased copy)

Brain Myths Exploded: Lessons from Neuroscience by Indre Viskontas (The Great Courses) - I selected this audiobook thinking it would be a good contrast to our psychology book by offering a more contemporary perspective on psychology and neuroscience. In the end, I decided not to use it, mostly because we ran out of time in the course. Overall, this would be a good addition to a psych class that already had a text that covered introductory and basic information on psychology. The first few lectures were a little frustrating as they seemed to be aimed at dispelling the myth that there is a Creator and that faith is reasonable. That theme resurfaces a few times, but not as annoyingly as in the first two or three lectures. (purchased copy)

The Temperament God Gave You by Art and Laraine Bennett - link to my post (purchased copy)

The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O'Connor - link to my post (received as a gift from a family member)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Bookshop and Amazon are affiliate links.