Surprise

Surprise - it is a sensitive indicator. There are 2 main varieties

i) active and conscious, eg we are waiting for a particular event to happen

ii) not actively expected, eg meeting someone unexpectedly

. The brain readily registers the violation of normality, ie abnormality is detected very quickly

. The brain automatically searches for causality, ie a large event is supposed to have consequences, and consequences need causes

. When uncertain, answers are guided by experience with recent events and the current context having most weight in determining an interpretation; conscious doubt is not included

. In understanding a statement, the brain must begin with an attempt to believe it, ie you first must know what the idea would mean. Only then can you decide whether or not to believe it.