A groundbreaking study by Professor Ekrem Dere at Ruhr-University Bochum proposes a new method for analyzing consciousness. The study uses behavioral changes and learning spikes, known as “Eureka moments,” to explore cognitive processes and brain mechanisms during these periods. Professor Dere’s novel approach suggests defining conscious cognitive phases by observing behavioral patterns and learning curves.
He believes that these sudden insights can pinpoint times of conscious processing. This offers a fresh perspective on understanding the brain’s mechanisms through imaging techniques. “For generations, scientists have endeavored to unravel the origins and mechanics of consciousness,” says Professor Dere.
“Learning is often not a gradual process but occurs in leaps and bounds. Conscious processes likely precede these sudden epiphanies.”
In his paper published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, Dere details his methods, which may apply to both humans and animals. He emphasizes that consciousness is not static.
It varies depending on the activity, whether sleeping or solving a complex problem.
New methods to analyze consciousness
Conscious cognitive information processing is at the upper end of this gradation,” Dere notes.
To study these processes scientifically, Dere suggests presenting subjects with tasks that require conscious cognitive effort and lack preconceived solutions. This method allows researchers to identify when conscious information processing occurs. To pinpoint conscious moments, Dere proposes using learning curves to map performance over time.
“Performance improvements in specific tasks often occur in leaps rather than continuously,” he explains. These learning spikes can serve as timestamps for conscious cognitive processing. “By using imaging and electrophysiological methods, we can observe the brain’s activities in the moments leading up to and during these spikes,” says Dere.
This approach enables researchers to identify the brain regions and mechanisms of conscious processing. This innovative study could significantly advance the scientific understanding of consciousness. It offers new methods to investigate the neurobiological correlates of conscious cognitive processes.
