Brain Predicts Its Error Rate

#Cognition

If the brain predicts the observed reality, it means that it would inevitably predict the expected rewards.

Because rewards are a part of reality: we do keep in memory past experiences and outcomes, and no doubt that we do have expectations about future ones.

Here is the twist.

The dopamine reward that the brain receives is equivalent to the positive prediction error:

Moreover, dopamine neurons in the midbrain signal reward prediction errors by responding to discrepancies between received and predicted rewards. These neurons are activated by more reward than predicted (positive prediction error) or show depressed activity with less reward than predicted (negative prediction error) The dopamine reward prediction error signal is crucial for basic forms of learning about rewards and plays a significant role in guiding behavior based on expected outcome.

It means that the brain not just predicts the observed reality, but also it also predicts its own prediction error.

See also: We Get Bored Because Brain Predicts Its Error Rate

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