There are many ways to define brain, bias, belief and prejudice—perhaps as many as there are brains on this planet. Here are some definitions:

THE BRAIN:
the part of the nervous system that is inside the skull, consisting of grayish nerve cells and whitish nerve fibers, and is the organ of thought and the central control point for the nervous system. —Merriam-Webster Dictionary

BIAS:
a tendency to prefer one person or thing to another, and to favor that person or thing above others; to show concern with or interest in one person or thing more than others. —Collins English Dictionary

PREJUDICE:
the state of holding preconceived judgments, opinions, or convictions that are often formed unfairly or without knowledge of the actual facts. Prejudice tends to be learned, often in childhood.
—The Free Dictionary

BELIEF:
a state of mind or mental representation of an attitude positively oriented towards the likelihood of something being true. —Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

HOW DOES THE BRAIN HANDLE BIAS?

Bias is impacted by two little brain organs known as the amygdalae (or singly as an amygdala). They are important, among other things, for emotional and social processing.

Brain scans have shown that the amygdalae register fear when you first see another human being from a different ethnic background.

Depending on a variety of internal and external influences, the brain’s initial reaction of bias can decrease in less than half a second or escalate into a “fight or flight” response.

Holding an inclination for or against another human being
or a specific idea can be transmitted from one generation to another, sometimes by direct instruction or cellular memory (behaviours exhibited by biological ancestors).

Used appropriately, your brain’s built- in bias can help keep you safe.
Assessments based on unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions that were formed unfairly or without knowledge of the facts can turn into learned bigotry, racism and prejudice.

Common features of prejudice include negative feelings, suspicion, hatred or stereotypical beliefs, and a tendency to discriminate against members of a group or a certain idea.

Types of prejudice foundin modern society include those related to gender, race, nationality, class, religion and disability.

Prejudices can become ingrained beliefs, semi-automatic or automatic habits and responses to which you give little conscious awareness or analytical thought. Conscious or not, however, they do impact your actions and behaviours.

The underlying impetus for some of these mindsets may be irrational fears about a person, a group or an idea—often because little to nothing is really known about them. That’s one reason that some say knowledge is power.

Most people who are prejudiced were taught to be afraid of those who are different. Sometimes, countries or entire cultures have a particular narrative that presents one group of people as evil or dangerous.

Children will learn from childhood that members of that specific group should be avoided. People who are prejudiced often don’t think they are. Rather they believe they have good reasons for their fears and dislikes.

CAN AN INDIVIDUAL CHANGE THEIR BELIEFS?

According to Dr Bruce Lipton, arguably the foremost current living authority on epigenetics and cellular memory, beliefs act like camera filters, changing the way you see the world. Ultimately, each brain is free to choose which beliefs to accept and which to reject.

Some inclination for beliefs may be hardwired into the brain and/or to cellular memory from biological ancestors. It can be a challenge to bring your beliefs to conscious awareness—but it is important to do so because you can manage (and change) only what you can identify, label and describe.

It is possible for a brain to change its beliefs. Altering your beliefs may impact health, longevity and possibly even your genetic potential. Your body adapts to your beliefs. Up to 70 per cent of how long and how well you live is in your hands. If you believe current research is shedding light on how to help you stay healthier and younger for longer, then that is the course you will follow.

When you come up against a belief that is different from one you already own, it will take time and effort to evaluate it. Sometimes, the evaluation may lead you to hold on to and retain your own belief. At other times, you may choose to alter your belief in some way.

You may even decide to give up that belief. Doing this evaluation exercise can help you become more open-minded.

It takes several decades for the brain’s cognitive abilities to mature.

During this time, one’s belief systems, like neuronal connections, are very flexible. The older the brain becomes, the less flexible one’s belief become as the neural pathways stabilise. Nevertheless, one’s ability to refine personal beliefs continues to mature.

Common features of prejudice include negative feelings, suspicion, hatred or stereotypical beliefs, and a tendency to discriminate against members of a group or a certain idea.

Types of prejudice foundin modern society include those related to gender, race, nationality, class, religion and disability.

Prejudices can become ingrained beliefs, semi-automatic or automatic habits and responses to which you give little conscious awareness or analytical thought. Conscious or not, however, they do impact your actions and behaviours.

The underlying impetus for some of these mindsets may be irrational fears about a person, a group or an idea—often because little to nothing is really known about them. That’s one reason that some say knowledge is power.

Most people who are prejudiced were taught to be afraid of those who are different. Sometimes, countries or entire cultures have a particular narrative that presents one group of people as evil or dangerous.

Children will learn from childhood that members of that specific group should be avoided. People who are prejudiced often don’t think they are.

Rather they believe they have good reasons for their fears and dislikes.

DO DECEPTIONS AND ILLUSIONS COME INTO PLAY IN TERMS OF ONES BELIEFS?

According to Dr Lipton, humans have a great capacity for sticking to false beliefs with great passion and tenacity. The human brain is always trying to come up with reasons for everything and is therefore very susceptible to deceptions and illusions.

Studies have shown that neither child nor adult brains have a well-developed capacity to distinguish the accuracy of their beliefs.

Just recall how shocking it is to some children to discover there is no Easter Bunny or Santa Claus.

Adults are particularly vulnerable to maintaining self- deceptive beliefs, especially when comparing their own intelligence and attractiveness with that of others.

Most people overestimate their personal abilities. In surveys, approximately 90 per cent of respondents believed they were smarter, healthier and more industrious than the average individual.

Unfortunately, their inflated beliefs cause them to suspend their ability to test reality (such as smokers who underestimate their risk of lung cancer)