Can we learn which thoughts to believe and which ones not to believe?

[sakoz]

Dictionary definition of the word "believe": 1. to take as true, real, etc.  3. to suppose or think. We're all familar with 'believing', we do it daily. What exactly do we "do" when believing?
The etc. indicates there's 'more' to the definition1. Let's explore/investigate that "more". "3. to suppose or think", indicates we use language as well as thought. In fact, 'thought' is the "content/ingredient" of believing. Just as there is no running without legs,  there is no believing without thought-content. Both running and believing are functions/processes that do not exist independently, per se. So I repeat; "What exactly do we 'do' when believing"?
Not only do we think false thoughts, we also believe them, we do both automatically/habit. not recognizing doing either; but we always recognize the consequences/results/effects. They are unavoidable experiences. A very common effect is 'stress'. Stress is not a commodity, it's a reaction to a believed thought, ( usually to false thoughts).
Because of the consequences/results/effects resulting from 'believing', it would be prudent to understand 'believing' analogous to scientists understand the submicroscopic,sub-atomic level.
We are "hard-wired" to react to perceptions from/of the environment,- that's a prerequisite for survival (fortunately). But to react to 'believed false thoughts' just as compellingly is not in our best interests, well being, mental health.
We learned to regulate where to eliminate body waste; learning to regulate 'believing' is equally important to psychological health/hygiene.

[sakoz]

'All creatures are involuntarily (hard-wired) to react to perceptions."  (true or false?). Let me ask you another question, you don't have to post your answer, but know what it is.
"What do 'you' think happens when you believe a thought-image is real?" (formulate your answer).
My answer is; "When we believe a image is real, it literally becomes a current perception." The rest follows via the first sentence.
"What happens when we recognize a image as image and not believe it's real? Our involuntary does not react to it as a current perception (of/from environment).
When you experience involuntary reactions(emotional suffering, dysfunctional behavior, stress, mistakes), do you ask;" Am I unwittingly believing some thought-image is real; making it a perception as if coming from/of environment?" (deceiving involuntary nervous system into reacting).

[sakoz]

".....which thoughts to believe and which ones not to believe?."  Implies there's some criterion to be used. In the sciences, the conscious criterion is,"believe the thoughts that match/fit facts."
Obviously there are unconscious criterion for laymen that believe false thoughts as well as true ones. We do not believe every thought/image is true,real. Some 'selection' is at work. What/how?