One reason optimists retain a positive outlook even in the face of evidence to the contrary has been discovered. A study, published in Nature Neuroscience, suggests the brain is very good at processing good news about the future.
The study refers to an experiment that showed that when the news was positive, all participants had more activity in the brain’s frontal lobes, which are associated with processing errors. With negative information, the most optimistic of them had the least activity in the frontal lobes, while the least optimistic had the most.
This suggests the brain is picking and choosing which evidence to listen to. In short: it is biased in favour of good news.
Dr. Chris Chambers, neuroscientist from the University of Cardiff, said: “It’s very cool, a very elegant piece of work and fascinating.… It highlights something that is becoming increasingly apparent in neuroscience, that a major part of brain function in decision-making is the testing of predictions against reality.
“In essence all people are ‘scientists.’”
Source: BBC Health Reporter Hugh Gallagher, October 10
Eric Koch’s book, The Weimar Triangle, is available at Indigo-Chapters and in your local bookstore. 
“In essence all people are ‘scientists.’”
Sir, I beg to differ, rather than being objective “scientists”, we just strive to be clairvoyant.
And I thought that the desirability of a willing suspension of disbelief applied only to literature and the performing arts.
So did I. But I am not really surprised to learn that our brain, in the service of survival, acts as censor.
I think Dr Chambers needs to double check. As I’m certain that ‘both reality and perceived reality’ would surely be more accurate. That is how the various religions work, with those who are deeply indoctrinated rejecting opinions contrary to their beliefs.