Our team uses models and methods from artificial intelligence research and theoretical neuroscience in order to decipher the function of the human brain. We seek to characterise the mathematical operations that control human actions. To unravel the limitations – and thereby the functioning – of these mechanisms, we analyse human behaviour in extreme situations such as escaping from dangerous animals, or predicting threat in the environment. Experimentally, this builds on immersive virtual reality in which record the behaviour of players while they move freely. Our research results might contribute to a better understanding of psychiatric disorders and development of novel therapeutic approaches.