In today’s fast-paced digital world, we constantly encounter brief messages – whether it's a push notification, an email alert, or a quick social media update. Our ability to process these rapid-fire texts is both remarkable and crucial in navigating modern life. But how exactly does the brain handle this constant stream of information?
Recent research from a team of New York University linguistics and psychology experts offers some answers. According to their findings, the brain not only processes these brief messages with lightning speed but also makes near-instantaneous decisions based on them. For instance, when a short sentence is flashed across a screen, our brains detect its basic structure in just 150 milliseconds – roughly the time it takes to blink. This incredibly fast processing allows us to decide in an instant whether to respond to or ignore a message.
As Dr. Liina Pylkkänen from NYU explains, “This shift has made it clear that our brains not only instinctively process rapid messages but can also make snap decisions—like whether to keep or delete an email or how to respond to a brief social media update.” But how well do we truly understand these rapid messages? And how does the brain manage them?
One revealing aspect of this research is how the brain corrects minor errors in messages. A related study led by graduate student Nigel Flower and published in the Journal of Neuroscience delved deeper into this process. The study found that when a small mistake, such as a word order error—"all are cats nice" instead of "all cats are nice"—appears in a phrase, our brain’s response drops slightly. However, starting around 400 milliseconds, the brain begins to “correct” the mistake, processing the sentence as though it were perfectly grammatical.
“This shows that the brain not only recognizes phrase structure quickly but also automatically corrects small errors,” explains Flower. “It’s why we often miss minor mistakes when reading—the brain has already fixed them for us.”
Understanding how the brain processes brief digital messages can give businesses a competitive edge in the way they communicate with customers. Here are four key ways companies can apply these insights:
Short Really is Sweet
Marketers can capitalize on the brain’s ability to digest information quickly by crafting shorter, clearer messages for digital ads and social media posts. Quick, direct messages are more likely to be understood at a glance, boosting the chances of engagement.
Improve User Experience
By designing digital interfaces – such as apps and websites – with quick information delivery in mind, businesses can create smoother, more user-friendly experiences. Clear, concise text helps users absorb information rapidly, allowing them to focus on the most relevant content.
Example: A banking app can offer easy-to-read updates on account balances or transactions, enabling users to act quickly on their financial information without unnecessary confusion.
Optimize Training and Education
Companies focused on internal training or customer education can deliver materials more efficiently by using short, focused content. By combining concise text with engaging visuals, they can boost understanding and retention, keeping learners interested and involved.
Example: E-learning platforms can integrate short text-based quizzes or summaries to help users quickly grasp and remember new concepts.
The research by Flower suggests that minor errors, such as typos in a company’s newsletter, may not be as damaging as we think. The brain tends to automatically correct small mistakes, so many readers won’t even notice them.
"This ability to correct small mistakes internally is a fascinating aspect of how the brain handles language,” says Flower. “It shows how adaptable our cognitive systems are in interpreting language under less-than-perfect conditions.”
Source:
New York University. (2024). Scanning, scrolling, and swiping: New research uncovers why our brains process short messages so quickly. Retrieved from https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2024/october/scanning--scrolling--and-swiping--new-research-uncovers-why-our-.html