Unpacking the Science: How Our Brains Process New Information

Our brains process new information every day; whether it's from conversations with friends, news articles, or learning at school, we are almost constantly absorbing information in one way or another. This information could be insignificant, such as noticing something new on your morning commute to the office or watching a TikTok, or far more noteworthy, such as undertaking safety training or consuming the lecture content in an MBA degree online. Every one of us lives a unique life with unique opportunities for learning. But how do we process all of this information?

Our brains are still very much a mystery in many ways, but there are some things we do know. Firstly, we know that human brains are made up of billions of neurons, which are cells responsible for receiving sensory input, sending motor commands, and transforming and relaying electrical signals within the brain. Neurons may also be called neurones or nerve cells, and they are fundamental to the functioning of our brains and nervous systems. Just one category of neurons in our brains are specialised sensory neurons that respond to both physical and chemical stimuli and turn this input into electrochemical signals, which are then received in different 'categories' and used by our brains.

How Brains Process Information

Again, there is so much we don't know about the human brain, but it is widely believed that information processing happens in three simple steps: 

1. Input
2. Storage
3. Output

Input

This is where the sensory neurons come into play. For information input, sensory neurons absorb some type of stimulus and respond by evaluating the new information and deciding whether or not it is valuable to us. Sensory neurons receive stimuli from sensory organs such as the eyes, ears, skin, nose, and mouth and transform these stimuli into information, which is passed onto motor neurons, which can carry messages to control the muscle cells. Input from stimuli could mean information read in a class or a high temperature felt on a hot surface. 

Storage

During this stage, the brain categorises information and stores it for potential use—although if the input is not reinforced over time, it may not be stored forever. If you know you need to remember something, consider engaging in memory reinforcement strategies such as active recall. 

Output

During output, the brain determines how the information could be best used or responded to and acts accordingly. For example, after inputting and storing the information presented in a chapter of a maths textbook, the brain will apply this information to appropriate equations. Similarly, if the brain has remembered that a particular surface is too hot to touch, it will send out signals for the person to avoid touching it. 

Neuroplasticity

Another important concept when it comes to how we process information is neuroplasticity. Also referred to as neural plasticity or brain plasticity, neuroplasticity is the term used to describe the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to our experiences. The human nervous system changes its activity based on both intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. These changes include the reorganising or restructuring of the system's structure, functions, and connections and could be in response to a range of things, including serious injury. There are two types of neuroplasticity: functional plasticity and structural plasticity. 

Functional plasticity

Also called functional reorganisation, this term describes the brain's ability to move specific functions from a damaged area of the brain to another. When one area of the brain is damaged, the opposing side of the brain is often able to take over the functions of the compromised side, optimising the brain's activity. 

Structural plasticity

Also referred to as synaptic plasticity, this term describes the brain's ability to physically change its structure as a result of learning and experience. When we take on new information, the brain is able to modify the anatomical properties of its neural tissue. Structural plasticity allows the brain to adapt, learn, repair itself, and slow ageing as it responds to environmental changes. One example of structural plasticity is adult neurogenesis, which is the concept that the mature adult brain continues to create new neurons. 

Our brains do and control so much for us, every second of every day. There are things we are more actively aware of, such as the actions of learning and remembering, moving, and talking. But there are also all the things that it does behind the scenes that we can't live without, such as ensuring our hearts keep beating and controlling our breathing, temperature, and important feelings and senses like hunger. When it comes to processing information, the human brain receives, stores, and uses information in many different ways. On top of using everything we learn to control our everyday lives, it also has the ability to use these things to adapt itself when it is damaged, or even just to help us thrive.