How many questions does the human brain ask per minute?

Question

I am looking for research studies on how many questions the human brain asks on average per second/minute/day. I need to find some sort of extinmated answer for a school project.

Answer 1

There is no concievable way to measure this for many reasons: 1. What consitutes as a question, 2. How can you measure such minute cognitive processes. Not to mention the MASSIVE individual differences involved, there would be no # would likely describe the average. Meaning, that one person have 4,000,000 thoughts and another may only have 500...and that same person may have 1,000,000 the next day. Would any average describe the layout of the data?Even if this could be measured, the amount of confounds would entirely dillute the data.
I agree with the above person, you really need to refine what you are asking. What question are you trying to answer, questions or complete thoughts? The limits of human processing? If so, you may want to attack this from a different angle. I couldn't even begin to refer you to anything until you give me more information. I would try simply doing a search on human cognition and limits of processing. Email me more and I can try to refer you to something.

Answer 2

I suppose to an extent the brain processes almost everything as a question because the brain, as a data processor, is in a constant state of identifying items and ideas, and analyzing info, comparing/contrasting things, etc infinity.

what is it, is it safe, do I need it, should I avoid it, what is it made of, how do I get it, why do I need it, what does it remind me of, etc. RE everything in sight, everything in your memory, everything in your abstract thoughts, everything about your body processes and keeping you alive.

In that regard, you could be talking about millions of questions a second...and honestly I don't know how you could even start to measure it...but then again, I'm not a scientist. I'm almost sure that whatever info you get will be an estimate, and also someone will strongly disagree with it.

But that might not be what you really mean...so I guess you would start by honing the parameters of your question...do you mean how many questions the brain would send down to the mouth, to be asked or considered as a thought?

Answer 3

I am assuming you mean conscious questions (example do i look fat in this dress?) it would thereby depend on the individual and there brains capacity for multiple thought.

If you are asking for non-conscious questions (example is my heart still beating?), then go through every process of the human body and then check its frequency put it into a standard unit say how often it happens per day, add them all up and give it to your teacher even if he doesn't agree he'll be impressed with the amount of study you under went.

Answer 4

I think that the number of questions asked (or thoughts processed) is relative to the emotional state of the person.

If he is contented and in a quiet place contemplating his existence, he might go several minutes without any discernible thoughts.

If he is in an obsessive or anxiety mode, he may have a question every second.

I don't believe that you will be able to find a definitive scientific answer to your question because consciousness cannot be measured empirically. It can only be measured through interpretation.

And, if you ask a person how many thoughts he is having, the act of him thinking about counting his thoughts will obviate his answer.

So, my conclusion is that your statistic cannot be calculated using current available technologies.