Peter Burow > Quotes

“We use Core Beliefs to simplify our decision-making process. There are two broad methods in making a decision, either through:”
― Peter Burow, Core Beliefs, Harnessing the Power

“The Rational Brain relates to our reasoning, conscious part of the brain. Our decisions here are slow, considered, rule-governed and controlled, and give a more complete understanding. We need to understand both these modes and their influence on judgements and choice, as they are the key to behavioural change.”
― Peter Burow, Core Beliefs, Harnessing the Power

“Once we have reached a conclusion, we start justifying our conclusions about the individual. Consider meeting an obese and sweaty man for the first time. Many would typically think, ‘He is an individual with no self-control (to allow himself to become so fat)’ and then start looking for corroborating evidence of his lack of self-control. Rather than logically piecing together the evaluation to form a conclusion we use Core Beliefs to reach the conclusion and then collect data and justify our point of view. This process is called a self-justifying reframe of empirical data.”
― Peter Burow, Core Beliefs, Harnessing the Power

“The cognitive process is centered in the neocortex (which allows us to think about thinking) while Core Beliefs arise from the amygdala (which acts like an internal watchdog scanning the environment for threats). The differences between these two areas of the brain give rise to a number of important characteristics about Core Beliefs. These are: ​•​ Core Beliefs cannot be changed because they are based on a chemical or instinctual reaction (except slowly, over a great deal of time); ​•​ Focusing on one Core Belief can alter the intensity with which another Core Belief is held; ​•​ Core Beliefs are not closely related to facts; ​•​ Core Beliefs are strongly (but irrationally) held; ​•​ The degree to which people rely on Core Beliefs to make a decision can be influenced; and ​•​ Core Beliefs tend to be subconscious and the cognitive mind is used to justify rather than question them. In contrast, when we attempt to resolve our disparate internal drives through a cognitive process, then the decisions tend to be: ​•​ Relatively easy to call to mind; ​•​ Relatively persistent and stable; and ​•​ Relatively resistant to challenges from other ideas or messages. Consider the position of an individual sitting at home watching the television when a political advertisement plays. This patriotic Australian is an undecided voter and also fairly indifferent to the political process (if there is no imminent election looming). When an advertisement appears with a politician draped in an Australian flag, the individual does not pay it cognitive attention. Instead, if they see the Australian flag and associate that with their own patriotism they will arrive at a position that the politician would consider to be pro-positional.”
― Peter Burow, Core Beliefs, Harnessing the Power

“When people do not use their cognitive abilities to arrive at a personal decision (to resolve their own inner conflicts), they collapse into one of nine predictable patterns of Core Belief Profile behaviour.”
― Peter Burow, Core Beliefs, Harnessing the Power

“The Intuitive or Emotional Brain is where our Core Beliefs reside and relates to our intuitive response to outside happenings which result in fight, flight and freeze. Our responses and decisions are fast, automatic, unconscious and difficult to control or modify. This part of our brain gives only partial understanding.”
― Peter Burow, Core Beliefs, Harnessing the Power