Dr Rachel Lilley is articulating a key principle from **[[Predictive Processing]]**, the neuroscientific framework that also underpins [[Lisa Feldman Barrett]]’s _theory of constructed emotion_. In this view, the brain is **not a passive receiver** of sensory data but a **prediction engine**: - It continually generates _models_ of what it expects to [[Perception|perceive]] based on memory, experience, and context. - Incoming sensory signals are then compared to those predictions. - Only the _errors_ — the differences between what is predicted and what is sensed — prompt updates. Thus, perception itself is a **controlled hallucination**: what we consciously experience is mostly the brain’s _best guess_ about reality, constrained by the minimal input required to keep that guess stable. Dr Lilley’s phrasing — that _“the output is stronger than the input”_ — captures this beautifully. It implies that what we _believe_, _feel_, or _expect_ often outweighs raw sensory data. The implications are profound: - We literally **see through our past**, since prior experiences shape the predictive models. - Emotional and social [[Biases]] can therefore become **self-confirming loops**, as the brain filters new evidence through its existing expectations. This connects directly with both **Barrett** (our [[Emotions]] are predictions about bodily states) and **Alan Watkins** (we can regulate those bodily signals to refine the brain’s model and restore coherence). ## Publications - Whitehead, M., Jones, R., Howell, R., Pykett, J. & Lilley, R., (2018) Neuroliberalism: Cognition, Context and the Geographical Bounding of Rationality:, In : Progress in Human Geography.p. 141 p. - Whitehead, M., Jones, R., Lilley, R., Pykett, J. and Howell, R., 2017. _Neuroliberalism: behavioural [[Government]] in the twenty-first century_. Routledge. - Pykett, J., Lilley, R., Whitehead, M., Howell, R. 2016. Governing Mindfully, Emotional States Sites and spaces of affective governance, Edited by [Eleanor Jupp](https://www.routledge.com/products/search?author=Eleanor%20Jupp), [Jessica Pykett](https://www.routledge.com/products/search?author=Jessica%20Pykett), [Fiona M. Smith](https://www.routledge.com/products/search?author=Fiona%20M.%20Smith), 2017 – Routledge - Pykett, J., Lilley, R., Whitehead, M., Howell, R. 2016. Mindfulness, Behaviour Change, and Decision Making: An Experimental Trial. University of Birmingham, Birmingham [Other](https://changingbehaviours.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/mindfulness-behaviour-change-and-decision-making_final-report.pdf) - Whitehead, M., Lilley, R., Howell, R., Jones, R., Pykett, J. 2016. (RE)Inhabiting Awareness: Geography and  Mindfulness. Social and Cultural Geography **17** (4) pp. 553-573. [10.1080/14649365.2015.1089590](http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14649365.2015.1089590) - Lilley, R., Whitehead, M., Howell, R., Jones, R., Pykett, J. 2016. Mindfulness, Behaviour Change and Engagement in Public Policy – Evaluation Report 2. Prifysgol Aberystwyth | Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth [Other](https://changingbehaviours.wordpress.com/2016/06/10/mindfulness-and-behaviour-change-exploring-the-connections/) - Whitehead, M., Jones, R., Howell, R., Lilley, R., Pykett, J. 2014. Nudging All Over the World: Assessing the global impact of the behavioural sciences on public policy. Economic and Social Research Council  ### Non academic articles and reports - Lilley, R  (2021) [Urgent times need critical, real-world research  To give mindfulness a truly transformative agency.](https://www.themindfulnessinitiative.org/responding-to-mindfulness-developing-agency-in-urgent-times-a-compilation-of-essays) In J. Bristow (Ed.), Responding to Mindfulness: Developing Agency in Urgent Times - A compilation of essays. The Mindfulness Initiative.  - Lilley, R. Whitehead, M. [Does mindfulness in politics make any difference? Improving democratic governance is a challenge that goes way beyond cultivating calm and compassion_._](https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/transformation/does-mindfulness-politics-make-any-difference/) [](https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/transformation/does-mindfulness-politics-make-any-difference/) - Lilley, R. Considering the Welsh Ministers’ Principles for Organisational Performance Management and questionnaire through a behavioural insights framework,  Delivering Better Outcomes Team, Welsh Government - [Mindfulness Initiative, contributing author: Building the case for Mindfulness in the workplace.](http://themindfulnessinitiative.org.uk/publications/building-the-case) Ver 1.0, published October 2016. [ ](http://themindfulnessinitiative.org.uk/publications/building-the-case) - Jacques, B. Lilley R., Cass, J. [Relationship Experts – behaviour change and home energy coaching,](https://www.nea.org.uk/members-area/news/nea-cymru-working-ymlaen-ceredigion-partnership-ceredigion-county-council-aberystwyth-university/) 2016, in partnership with Ymlaen  Ceredigion, Aberystwyth University and NEA Cymru. ![[Rachel Lilley.jpg]] `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`