Scientists have long known of how we able to learn from our mistakes, suggesting that the reason lies in the element of surprise when we find that we have done something wrong.  However, how the brain manages to learn from mistakes and how quickly it does so have been a mystery for them.

With recent studies monitoring the brain activity of a group of volunteers as they made predictions based on information each read on a computer screen.  After which, they were given new information that made many of the predictions incorrect.  The subjects would then had to learn from the mistake in order to repeat the error next time around.

The researchers measured activity in the lower temporal region of the brain, which is near the temples, said to be responsible for processing visual information.  Their findings is that brain activity increased immediately after the individual saw the new information flashed on the computer screen, as fast as 0.1 second, before there was time for any conscious consideration.

This study indicates that the brain reacts to mistakes before information even gets processed consciously.  It has since referred by scientists as an "early warning signal" from a lower region of the brain.