Scientists found that it is possible to predict if a person is going to make a mistake, monitoring the brain activity.
The study conducted by Dr Tom Eichele of Norway's University of Bergen and his colleagues in UK, Germany and the US showed that human errors are not the result of momentary changes in brain activity and concentration. It is more likely to be a signal from the brain that tells that little break from monotonous work is necessary.
As a person performs a routine task, the brain shifts to a brain area that is active during rest and nothing can be done about it. The scanners monitored this change that occurred about 30 seconds before a person made a mistake.
Scientists studied the brain activity with MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scans that are weighty and not portable. They say that it is possible to develop a lightweight and mobile device that will be able to warn of the possible mistake. The prototype of a wireless EGG (electroencephalogram) is being developed and can be available in about 10 years.
The device will be especially helpful to workers, dealing with safety, improving their work performance. A person will receive a signal that will alert if the decision is going to be false.
The question is, can we still decide against the decision our brain has made?'' Dr Eichele said.
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