You Do Learn from Your Mistakes

Before you register a conscious thought, the lower temporal region of your brain sends out a “warning signal” if you’re about to repeat a past mistake, finds University of Exeter research. It takes just 0.1 seconds for the red flag to go up, the researchers write. Past studies have also shown your brain holds on to more information when you make incorrect predictions than correct predictions. That doesn't mean you won’t make the same dumb mistake twice—but at least part of your brain is doing its job, the study suggests.