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Unlocking the Mysteries: Fascinating Brain Psychology Facts
Introduction:
Ever wonder what makes you you? The answer lies within the intricate network of billions of neurons buzzing away inside your skull. This post delves into the fascinating world of brain psychology, revealing surprising and sometimes counterintuitive facts about how our brains work, impacting everything from our memories and emotions to our decisions and perceptions. We'll explore the amazing capabilities and quirks of this three-pound organ that dictates our every thought, feeling, and action. Prepare to be amazed by the incredible power and perplexing mysteries of the human brain.
1. The Power of Neuroplasticity: Your Brain is Always Changing
One of the most groundbreaking discoveries in neuroscience is neuroplasticity – the brain's incredible ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This means that your brain isn't a fixed entity; it constantly adapts and changes in response to experiences, learning, and even injuries. Learning a new language, mastering a musical instrument, or even recovering from a stroke all demonstrate the remarkable plasticity of the brain. This adaptability offers hope for overcoming brain injuries and emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning for cognitive health. The more you challenge your brain, the more it grows and strengthens its connections.
2. The Illusion of Conscious Control: Your Subconscious is in Charge
While we like to believe we're in control of our actions and thoughts, a significant portion of our brain's activity happens unconsciously. Our subconscious mind processes vast amounts of information, influencing our decisions, emotions, and behaviors far more than we realize. From the subtle biases that shape our judgments to the seemingly automatic actions we perform daily, the subconscious plays a crucial role in shaping who we are and how we interact with the world. Understanding this unconscious influence is key to self-awareness and personal growth.
3. The Biases That Shape Our Perceptions: Cognitive Distortions at Play
Our brains are not perfect information processors. We are susceptible to various cognitive biases – systematic errors in thinking that affect our decisions and judgments. Confirmation bias, for example, leads us to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore contradictory evidence. Anchoring bias causes us to over-rely on the first piece of information we receive, even if it's irrelevant. Understanding these biases is crucial for making more rational and objective decisions in all aspects of life.
4. The Memory Maze: How We Encode, Store, and Retrieve Information
Memory is a complex and multifaceted process involving multiple brain regions. We encode information through sensory experiences, store it in various forms (short-term, long-term, episodic, semantic), and retrieve it when needed. However, memory is far from perfect. It's susceptible to distortion, forgetting, and even fabrication. Factors like stress, emotion, and the passage of time can significantly impact the accuracy and reliability of our memories.
5. The Emotional Brain: The Amygdala's Powerful Influence
The amygdala, a small almond-shaped structure deep within the brain, plays a crucial role in processing emotions, particularly fear and anxiety. It acts as an emotional alarm system, quickly assessing potential threats and triggering a fight-or-flight response. While this system is vital for survival, an overactive amygdala can lead to anxiety disorders and phobias. Understanding the amygdala's role can help us manage our emotional responses and reduce the impact of stress and anxiety.
6. Sleep's Crucial Role in Brain Function: Consolidation and Repair
Sleep isn't just a period of inactivity; it's a critical time for brain consolidation and repair. During sleep, the brain processes information gathered throughout the day, strengthens memories, and eliminates waste products. Lack of sleep can significantly impair cognitive function, leading to decreased attention, impaired memory, and increased susceptibility to errors. Prioritizing sufficient sleep is essential for optimal brain health and cognitive performance.
7. The Power of Mindset: The Impact of Beliefs on Brain Function
Our beliefs and attitudes significantly influence our brain function and behavior. A positive mindset can boost resilience, enhance creativity, and improve overall well-being. Conversely, a negative mindset can lead to stress, anxiety, and decreased motivation. Cultivating a growth mindset, which emphasizes learning and adaptation, can unlock our brain's potential and promote personal growth.
8. The Brain-Body Connection: The Mind-Body Relationship
The brain and body are intricately linked, constantly exchanging information and influencing each other. Stress, for instance, can impact the brain's ability to function optimally, while physical exercise can enhance cognitive function and boost mood. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and yoga, can help strengthen the mind-body connection and promote overall well-being.
9. The Future of Brain Research: Unveiling the Mysteries
Neuroscience is a rapidly evolving field, constantly revealing new insights into the complexities of the brain. Advances in neuroimaging techniques, such as fMRI and EEG, are providing unprecedented views into brain activity, while new research methods are helping to unravel the mysteries of consciousness, memory, and cognitive disorders. The future of brain research holds the promise of groundbreaking discoveries that will revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and lead to new treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Article Outline: Brain Psychology Facts
I. Introduction: Hook the reader with intriguing facts about the brain.
II. Main Chapters:
Neuroplasticity and Brain Change
The Subconscious Mind's Influence
Cognitive Biases and Their Impact
Memory Processes and Limitations
The Amygdala and Emotional Processing
Sleep's Role in Brain Health
Mindset and Brain Function
The Brain-Body Connection
The Future of Brain Research
III. Conclusion: Summarize key findings and emphasize the importance of understanding brain psychology.
(Detailed explanation of each point in the outline is provided above in the main body of the blog post.)
FAQs:
1. What is neuroplasticity? Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
2. How much of our brain activity is unconscious? A significant portion of brain activity happens unconsciously, influencing our decisions and behaviors more than we realize.
3. What are some common cognitive biases? Confirmation bias, anchoring bias, and availability heuristic are common examples.
4. How reliable is human memory? Memory is susceptible to distortion, forgetting, and fabrication, influenced by factors like stress and time.
5. What is the amygdala's role in emotion? The amygdala processes emotions, especially fear and anxiety, triggering the fight-or-flight response.
6. Why is sleep important for brain health? Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, waste removal, and overall brain function.
7. How does mindset affect brain function? A positive mindset can boost resilience and well-being; a negative one can lead to stress and anxiety.
8. How are the brain and body connected? They are intricately linked, constantly influencing each other's function and health.
9. What are some exciting areas of current brain research? Current research focuses on consciousness, memory, cognitive disorders, and new treatment methods.
Related Articles:
1. The Neuroscience of Happiness: Explores the brain regions and neurochemicals involved in happiness and well-being.
2. Understanding Anxiety Disorders: Discusses the neurological basis of anxiety disorders and their treatment.
3. The Science of Memory Enhancement: Explores techniques for improving memory and cognitive function.
4. The Impact of Stress on the Brain: Examines the effects of stress on brain structure and function.
5. Mindfulness and Brain Plasticity: Investigates the effects of mindfulness practices on brain structure and function.
6. The Power of Positive Thinking: Discusses the impact of positive thinking on brain health and well-being.
7. Sleep Deprivation and Cognitive Impairment: Explores the consequences of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance.
8. Brain Training and Cognitive Enhancement: Examines the effectiveness of brain training programs in improving cognitive abilities.
9. The Future of Neurotechnology: Discusses emerging technologies that could revolutionize our understanding and treatment of brain disorders.
| brain psychology facts: Brain Facts , 2002 |
| brain psychology facts: Discovering the Brain National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, Sandra Ackerman, 1992-01-01 The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the Decade of the Brain by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a field guide to the brainâ€an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€and how a gut feeling actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the Decade of the Brain, with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€and many scientists as wellâ€with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the Decade of the Brain. |
| brain psychology facts: How the Brain Works Kate Taylor, 2020-03-03 Are men's and women's brains really different? Why are teenagers impulsive and rebellious? And will it soon be possible to link our brains together via the Cloud? Drawing on the latest neuroscience research, this visual guide makes the hidden workings of the human brain simple to understand. How the Brain Works begins with an introduction to the brain's anatomy, showing you how to tell your motor cortex from your mirror neurons. Moving on to function, it explains how the brain works constantly and unnoticed to regulate heartbeat and breathing, and how it collects information to produce the experiences of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. The chapters that follow cover memory and learning, consciousness and personality, and emotions and communication. There's also a guide to the brain's disorders, including physical problems, such as tumours and strokes, and psychological and functional disorders, ranging from autism to schizophrenia. Illustrated with bold graphics and step-by-step artworks, and peppered with bite-sized factoids and question-and-answer features, this is the perfect introduction to the fascinating world of the human brain. |
| brain psychology facts: From Neurons to Neighborhoods National Research Council, Institute of Medicine, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development, 2000-11-13 How we raise young children is one of today's most highly personalized and sharply politicized issues, in part because each of us can claim some level of expertise. The debate has intensified as discoveries about our development-in the womb and in the first months and years-have reached the popular media. How can we use our burgeoning knowledge to assure the well-being of all young children, for their own sake as well as for the sake of our nation? Drawing from new findings, this book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues. The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more. Authoritative yet accessible, From Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the evidence about brain wiring and how kids learn to speak, think, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the climate-family, child care, community-within which the child grows. |
| brain psychology facts: Big Brain Book Leanne Boucher Gill, 2021-06-01 2022 KIDS' BOOK CHOICE AWARDS WINNER FOR BEST INFO MEETS GRAPHICS! Readers are welcomed to the Lobe Labs and Dr. Brain activities in this brightly illustrated, highly engaging book that uses science to answer interesting questions that kids have about the brain and human behavior. This is a fun primer on psychology and neuroscience that makes complex psychological phenomenon and neural mechanisms relatable to kids through illustrations, interesting factoids, and more. Chapters include: What is the brain made up of and how does it work? Why can’t I tickle myself? Why do they shine a light in my eyes when I hit my head in the game? Answers draw from both psychology and neuroscience, giving ample examples of how the science is relevant to the question and to the reader’s life experiences. |
| brain psychology facts: The Influential Mind Tali Sharot, 2017-09-19 A cutting-edge, research-based inquiry into how we influence those around us and how understanding the brain can help us change minds for the better. In The Influential Mind, neuroscientist Tali Sharot takes us on a thrilling exploration of the nature of influence. We all have a duty to affect others—from the classroom to the boardroom to social media. But how skilled are we at this role, and can we become better? It turns out that many of our instincts—from relying on facts and figures to shape opinions, to insisting others are wrong or attempting to exert control—are ineffective, because they are incompatible with how people’s minds operate. Sharot shows us how to avoid these pitfalls, and how an attempt to change beliefs and actions is successful when it is well-matched with the core elements that govern the human brain. Sharot reveals the critical role of emotion in influence, the weakness of data and the power of curiosity. Relying on the latest research in neuroscience, behavioral economics and psychology, the book provides fascinating insight into the complex power of influence, good and bad. Praise for The Influential Mind Winner of the 2018 British Psychological Society Book Award Selected as a Best Book of 2017 by Forbes, The Times (UK), The Huffington Post, Bloomberg, Greater Good Magazine, Inc., Stanford Business School,and more “Sharot . . . covers the topic more fully and more authoritatively in a book whose title gives appropriately equal billing to thought, behavior and neurons. . . . Her book is a witty survey of techniques to influence and guide human behavior.” —The New York Times Book Review “This timely, intriguing book explains why it’s so difficult to shift the attitudes and actions of others—and what we can do about it.” —Adam Grant, New York Times–bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take |
| brain psychology facts: Brain Facts -, 2012-09-01 Brain Facts is a primer on the brain and nervous system, published by the Society for Neuroscience. Brain Facts is a valuable resource for educators, students, and anyone interesting in learning about neuroscience. Download an audio recording of Brain Facts today, available on BrainFacts.org and through iTunes U. The brain is the most complex biological structure in the known universe. It is a topic rich with exciting new discoveries, continuing profound unknowns, and critical implications for individuals, families, and societies. Learn more about the brain and nervous system through articles, images, videos, and more on BrainFacts.org, a public information initiative of The Kavli Foundation, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, and the Society for Neuroscience. |
| brain psychology facts: Psych 101 Paul Kleinman, 2012-09-18 From perception tests and the Rorschach blots to B. F. Skinner and the stages of development, this primer for human behavior is packed with hundreds of ... psychology basics and insights... |
| brain psychology facts: Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain Lisa Feldman Barrett, 2020-11-17 From the author of How Emotions Are Made, a myth-busting primer on the brain, in the tradition of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics and Astrophysics for People in a Hurry |
| brain psychology facts: The Behavioral and Social Sciences National Research Council, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Committee on Basic Research in the Behavioral and Social Sciences, 1988-02-01 This volume explores the scientific frontiers and leading edges of research across the fields of anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, history, business, education, geography, law, and psychiatry, as well as the newer, more specialized areas of artificial intelligence, child development, cognitive science, communications, demography, linguistics, and management and decision science. It includes recommendations concerning new resources, facilities, and programs that may be needed over the next several years to ensure rapid progress and provide a high level of returns to basic research. |
| brain psychology facts: A Mind of Its Own: How Your Brain Distorts and Deceives Cordelia Fine, 2008-06-17 Provocative enough to make you start questioning your each and every action.—Entertainment Weekly The brain's power is confirmed and touted every day in new studies and research. And yet we tend to take our brains for granted, without suspecting that those masses of hard-working neurons might not always be working for us. Cordelia Fine introduces us to a brain we might not want to meet, a brain with a mind of its own. She illustrates the brain's tendency toward self-delusion as she explores how the mind defends and glorifies the ego by twisting and warping our perceptions. Our brains employ a slew of inborn mind-bugs and prejudices, from hindsight bias to unrealistic optimism, from moral excuse-making to wishful thinking—all designed to prevent us from seeing the truth about the world and the people around us, and about ourselves. |
| brain psychology facts: 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology Scott O. Lilienfeld, Steven Jay Lynn, John Ruscio, Barry L. Beyerstein, 2011-09-15 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology uses popular myths as a vehicle for helping students and laypersons to distinguish science from pseudoscience. Uses common myths as a vehicle for exploring how to distinguish factual from fictional claims in popular psychology Explores topics that readers will relate to, but often misunderstand, such as 'opposites attract', 'people use only 10% of their brains', and 'handwriting reveals your personality' Provides a 'mythbusting kit' for evaluating folk psychology claims in everyday life Teaches essential critical thinking skills through detailed discussions of each myth Includes over 200 additional psychological myths for readers to explore Contains an Appendix of useful Web Sites for examining psychological myths Features a postscript of remarkable psychological findings that sound like myths but that are true Engaging and accessible writing style that appeals to students and lay readers alike |
| brain psychology facts: How the Mind Works Steven Pinker, 2009-06-02 Explains what the mind is, how it evolved, and how it allows us to see, think, feel, laugh, interact, enjoy the arts, and ponder the mysteries of life. |
| brain psychology facts: How People Learn National Research Council, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences, Committee on Developments in the Science of Learning with additional material from the Committee on Learning Research and Educational Practice, 2000-08-11 First released in the Spring of 1999, How People Learn has been expanded to show how the theories and insights from the original book can translate into actions and practice, now making a real connection between classroom activities and learning behavior. This edition includes far-reaching suggestions for research that could increase the impact that classroom teaching has on actual learning. Like the original edition, this book offers exciting new research about the mind and the brain that provides answers to a number of compelling questions. When do infants begin to learn? How do experts learn and how is this different from non-experts? What can teachers and schools do-with curricula, classroom settings, and teaching methodsâ€to help children learn most effectively? New evidence from many branches of science has significantly added to our understanding of what it means to know, from the neural processes that occur during learning to the influence of culture on what people see and absorb. How People Learn examines these findings and their implications for what we teach, how we teach it, and how we assess what our children learn. The book uses exemplary teaching to illustrate how approaches based on what we now know result in in-depth learning. This new knowledge calls into question concepts and practices firmly entrenched in our current education system. Topics include: How learning actually changes the physical structure of the brain. How existing knowledge affects what people notice and how they learn. What the thought processes of experts tell us about how to teach. The amazing learning potential of infants. The relationship of classroom learning and everyday settings of community and workplace. Learning needs and opportunities for teachers. A realistic look at the role of technology in education. |
| brain psychology facts: How Psychology Works DK, 2018-06-07 How far would you go to obey orders? Why do many people - even some scientists - believe in miracles? Find out the answers to these questions and much more in this visual guide to applied psychology. Lying at the intersection of biology, philosophy, and medicine, psychology is at the heart of what makes us human. Perfect both for students and people new to the topic, How Psychology Works has a unique graphic approach and uses direct, jargon-free language. It explores various approaches that psychologists use to study how people think and behave, such as behaviorism, cognitive psychology, and humanism. This indispensable guide describes a wide range of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It then takes you through treatments, from cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoanalysis to group therapy and art therapy. This book also explores the role of psychology in everyday situations. Discover what makes you, you - the unique blend of nature and nurture that makes up your sense of who you are - and psychology's role in relationships, sport, work, and education. How Psychology Works is a fascinating read that will quickly hone your emotional intelligence and give you perceptive insights into both your own and other people's feelings and behavior. |
| brain psychology facts: Great Myths of the Brain Christian Jarrett, 2014-11-17 Great Myths of the Brain introduces readers to the field of neuroscience by examining popular myths about the human brain. Explores commonly-held myths of the brain through the lens of scientific research, backing up claims with studies and other evidence from the literature Looks at enduring myths such as “Do we only use 10% of our brain?”, “Pregnant women lose their mind”, “Right-brained people are more creative” and many more. Delves into myths relating to specific brain disorders, including epilepsy, autism, dementia, and others Written engagingly and accessibly for students and lay readers alike, providing a unique introduction to the study of the brain Teaches readers how to spot neuro hype and neuro-nonsense claims in the media |
| brain psychology facts: The Hidden Brain Shankar Vedantam, 2010-08-31 The hidden brain is the voice in our ear when we make the most important decisions in our lives—but we’re never aware of it. The hidden brain decides whom we fall in love with and whom we hate. It tells us to vote for the white candidate and convict the dark-skinned defendant, to hire the thin woman but pay her less than the man doing the same job. It can direct us to safety when disaster strikes and move us to extraordinary acts of altruism. But it can also be manipulated to turn an ordinary person into a suicide terrorist or a group of bystanders into a mob. In a series of compulsively readable narratives, Shankar Vedantam journeys through the latest discoveries in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral science to uncover the darkest corner of our minds and its decisive impact on the choices we make as individuals and as a society. Filled with fascinating characters, dramatic storytelling, and cutting-edge science, this is an engrossing exploration of the secrets our brains keep from us—and how they are revealed. |
| brain psychology facts: Willpower Roy F. Baumeister, John Tierney, 2011-09-01 One of the world's most esteemed and influential psychologists, Roy F. Baumeister, teams with New York Times science writer John Tierney to reveal the secrets of self-control and how to master it. Deep and provocative analysis of people's battle with temptation and masterful insights into understanding willpower: why we have it, why we don't, and how to build it. A terrific read. —Ravi Dhar, Yale School of Management, Director of Center for Customer Insights Pioneering research psychologist Roy F. Baumeister collaborates with New York Times science writer John Tierney to revolutionize our understanding of the most coveted human virtue: self-control. Drawing on cutting-edge research and the wisdom of real-life experts, Willpower shares lessons on how to focus our strength, resist temptation, and redirect our lives. It shows readers how to be realistic when setting goals, monitor their progress, and how to keep faith when they falter. By blending practical wisdom with the best of recent research science, Willpower makes it clear that whatever we seek—from happiness to good health to financial security—we won’t reach our goals without first learning to harness self-control. |
| brain psychology facts: The Physics Book DK, 2020-03-10 Explore the laws and theories of physics in this accessible introduction to the forces that shape our universe, our planet, and our everyday lives. Using a bold, graphics-led approach, The Physics Book sets out more than 80 of the key concepts and discoveries that have defined the subject and influenced our technology since the beginning of time. With the focus firmly on unpacking the thought behind each theory—as well as exploring when and how each idea and breakthrough came about—five themed chapters examine the history and developments in specific areas such as Light, Sound, and Electricity. Eureka moments abound: from Archimedes' bathtub discoveries about displacement and density, and Galileo's experiments with spheres falling from the Tower of Pisa, to Isaac Newton's apple and his conclusions about gravity and the laws of motion. You'll also learn about Albert Einstein's revelations about relativity; how the accidental discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation confirmed the Big Bang theory; the search for the Higgs boson particle; and why most of the universe is missing. If you've ever wondered exactly how physicists formulated—and proved—their abstract concepts, The Physics Book is the book for you. Series Overview: Big Ideas Simply Explained series uses creative design and innovative graphics along with straightforward and engaging writing to make complex subjects easier to understand. With over 7 million copies worldwide sold to date, these award-winning books provide just the information needed for students, families, or anyone interested in concise, thought-provoking refreshers on a single subject. |
| brain psychology facts: The Biological Mind Alan Jasanoff, 2018-03-13 A pioneering neuroscientist argues that we are more than our brains To many, the brain is the seat of personal identity and autonomy. But the way we talk about the brain is often rooted more in mystical conceptions of the soul than in scientific fact. This blinds us to the physical realities of mental function. We ignore bodily influences on our psychology, from chemicals in the blood to bacteria in the gut, and overlook the ways that the environment affects our behavior, via factors varying from subconscious sights and sounds to the weather. As a result, we alternately overestimate our capacity for free will or equate brains to inorganic machines like computers. But a brain is neither a soul nor an electrical network: it is a bodily organ, and it cannot be separated from its surroundings. Our selves aren't just inside our heads -- they're spread throughout our bodies and beyond. Only once we come to terms with this can we grasp the true nature of our humanity. |
| brain psychology facts: 170 PsycHoLOgiCaL FaCTs Aryaan Kharbade, 2020-09-02 170 PsycHoLOgiCaL FaCTs is a book which will help you in gain interest in psychology. This book is your visual guide to the complex and fascinating world of human behaviour. Discover how we learn, become emotionally bonded with others. This book of facts awakens students' curiosity and energizes their desire to learn about psychology.Human behaviour-both complex and simple-is such a fascinating subject for study and research, and therefore, psychology as a subject is of tremendous importance to the students and the researchers. This book is a great time killer.These 170 Psychological Facts Makes Your Mouth Open!! |
| brain psychology facts: The Brain and the Meaning of Life Paul Thagard, 2010-02-14 Defending the superiority of evidence-based reasoning over religious faith and philosophical thought experiments, Thagard argues that minds are brains and that reality is what science can discover. Brains come to know reality through a combination of perception and reasoning. Just as important, our brains evaluate aspects of reality through emotions that can produce both good and bad decisions. Our cognitive and emotional abilities allow us to understand reality, decide effectively, act morally, and pursue the vital needs of love, work, and play. Wisdom consists of knowing what matters, why it matters, and how to achieve it.--Jacket. |
| brain psychology facts: Psychology of Music Diana Deutsch, 2013-10-22 Approx.542 pages |
| brain psychology facts: Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). , 1998 |
| brain psychology facts: Drive Daniel H. Pink, 2011-04-05 The New York Times bestseller that gives readers a paradigm-shattering new way to think about motivation from the author of When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing Most people believe that the best way to motivate is with rewards like money—the carrot-and-stick approach. That's a mistake, says Daniel H. Pink (author of To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Motivating Others). In this provocative and persuasive new book, he asserts that the secret to high performance and satisfaction-at work, at school, and at home—is the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world. Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows and what business does—and how that affects every aspect of life. He examines the three elements of true motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose-and offers smart and surprising techniques for putting these into action in a unique book that will change how we think and transform how we live. |
| brain psychology facts: The Mind and the Brain (Psychology Revivals) Alfred Binet, 2014-04-08 Originally published in 1907, this book explores the distinction between mind and matter. Although Alfred Binet is best known for his contributions to the study of intelligence he had other extensive research interests and published widely in many areas of psychology. This reissue is an opportunity to explore some of that work, which includes consciousness and cognition as well as definitions of psychology. |
| brain psychology facts: Everything You and Your Teachers Need to Know About the Learning Brain Sabine Peters, Nienke van Atteveldt, Jessica Massonnié, Stephan E. Vogel, 2020-12-08 Children go to school to learn, and learning takes place in the brain. In the age period of formal schooling, a child’s brain is still undergoing major developmental changes. For these reasons, neuroscience (the study of the brain) and education are closely connected. Learning is possible because the brain is plastic: plasticity refers to the capacity of the brain to reorganize its structure and thereby change function and behavior. But what exactly changes in the brain when we learn something new? What are optimal conditions for the brain to learn? Why do we also forget things? What developmental changes occur in the brain during childhood and adolescence, and how are these processes different or similar to the neural mechanisms of learning and memory? Neuro-imaging research, or ‘brain scanning’, has accelerated our current understanding of brain development, learning, memory and other school-related skills such as reading and math but also creativity, metacognition and learning-related emotions and anxieties. But what do these brain scanning techniques actually measure? What kind of questions can we address with neuro-imaging, and what are the limitations? In this Collection, we will provide an accessible overview of the current state-of-the-art insights into the mechanisms of brain development, learning and memory. The collection will help children understand how their brains learn and develop, and how these processes are shaped by their environment and their own efforts. Moreover, we will discuss why it is important that their teachers and other educational practitioners know about the brain and neuroscience methods. Finally, we will also explain what happens if wrong ideas about the brain circulate, or the correct knowledge is misinterpreted. Neuromyths such as ‘we only use 10 percent of our brain’ are persistent, but important to counter with explaining why they are false, and what is true instead. |
| brain psychology facts: The Enigma of Reason Hugo Mercier, Dan Sperber, 2017-04-17 “Brilliant...Timely and necessary.” —Financial Times “Especially timely as we struggle to make sense of how it is that individuals and communities persist in holding beliefs that have been thoroughly discredited.” —Darren Frey, Science If reason is what makes us human, why do we behave so irrationally? And if it is so useful, why didn’t it evolve in other animals? This groundbreaking account of the evolution of reason by two renowned cognitive scientists seeks to solve this double enigma. Reason, they argue, helps us justify our beliefs, convince others, and evaluate arguments. It makes it easier to cooperate and communicate and to live together in groups. Provocative, entertaining, and undeniably relevant, The Enigma of Reason will make many reasonable people rethink their beliefs. “Reasonable-seeming people are often totally irrational. Rarely has this insight seemed more relevant...Still, an essential puzzle remains: How did we come to be this way?...Cognitive scientists Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber [argue that] reason developed not to enable us to solve abstract, logical problems...[but] to resolve the problems posed by living in collaborative groups.” —Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker “Turns reason’s weaknesses into strengths, arguing that its supposed flaws are actually design features that work remarkably well.” —Financial Times “The best thing I have read about human reasoning. It is extremely well written, interesting, and very enjoyable to read.” —Gilbert Harman, Princeton University |
| brain psychology facts: The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind Barbara K. Lipska, Elaine McArdle, 2018-04-03 In the tradition of My Stroke of Insight and Brain on Fire, this powerful memoir recounts Barbara Lipska's deadly brain cancer and explains its unforgettable lessons about the brain and mind. Neuroscientist Lipska was diagnosed early in 2015 with metastatic melanoma in her brain's frontal lobe. As the cancer progressed and was treated, she experienced behavioral and cognitive symptoms connected to a range of mental disorders, including dementia and her professional specialty, schizophrenia. Lipska's family and associates were alarmed by the changes in her behavior, which she failed to acknowledge herself. Gradually, after a course of immunotherapy, Lipska returned to normal functioning, amazingly recalled her experience, and through her knowledge of neuroscience identified the ways in which her brain changed during treatment. Lipska admits her condition was unusual; after recovery she was able to return to her research and resume her athletic training and compete in a triathalon. Most patients with similar brain cancers rarely survive to describe their ordeal. Lipska's memoir, coauthored with journalist Elaine McArdle, shows that strength and courage but also an encouraging support network are vital to recovery. |
| brain psychology facts: You Are Now Less Dumb David McRaney, 2013-07-30 The author of the bestselling You Are Not So Smart shares more discoveries about self-delusion and irrational thinking, and gives readers a fighting chance at outsmarting their not-so-smart brains David McRaney’s first book, You Are Not So Smart, evolved from his wildly popular blog of the same name. A mix of popular psychology and trivia, McRaney’s insights have struck a chord with thousands, and his blog--and now podcasts and videos--have become an Internet phenomenon. Like You Are Not So Smart, You Are Now Less Dumb is grounded in the idea that we all believe ourselves to be objective observers of reality--except we’re not. But that’s okay, because our delusions keep us sane. Expanding on this premise, McRaney provides eye-opening analyses of fifteen more ways we fool ourselves every day, including: The Misattribution of Arousal (Environmental factors have a greater affect on our emotional arousal than the person right in front of us) Sunk Cost Fallacy (We will engage in something we don’t enjoy just to make the time or money already invested “worth it”) Deindividuation (Despite our best intentions, we practically disappear when subsumed by a mob mentality) McRaney also reveals the true price of happiness, why Benjamin Franklin was such a badass, and how to avoid falling for our own lies. This smart and highly entertaining book will be wowing readers for years to come. |
| brain psychology facts: Denying to the Grave Sara E. Gorman, Jack M. Gorman, 2017 In Denying to the Grave, authors Sara and Jack Gorman explore the psychology of health science denial. Using several examples of such denial as test cases, they propose seven key principles that may lead individuals to reject accepted health-related wisdom. |
| brain psychology facts: The Elephant in the Brain Kevin Simler, Robin Hanson, 2018 Human beings are primates, and primates are political animals. Our brains, therefore, are designed not just to hunt and gather, but also to help us get ahead socially, often via deception and self-deception. But while we may be self-interested schemers, we benefit by pretending otherwise. The less we know about our own ugly motives, the better - and thus we don't like to talk or even think about the extent of our selfishness. This is the elephant in the brain. Such an introspective taboo makes it hard for us to think clearly about our nature and the explanations for our behavior. The aim of this book, then, is to confront our hidden motives directly - to track down the darker, unexamined corners of our psyches and blast them with floodlights. Then, once everything is clearly visible, we can work to better understand ourselves: Why do we laugh? Why are artists sexy? Why do we brag about travel? Why do we prefer to speak rather than listen? Our unconscious motives drive more than just our private behavior; they also infect our venerated social institutions such as Art, School, Charity, Medicine, Politics, and Religion. In fact, these institutions are in many ways designed to accommodate our hidden motives, to serve covert agendas alongside their official ones. The existence of big hidden motives can upend the usual political debates, leading one to question the legitimacy of these social institutions, and of standard policies designed to favor or discourage them. You won't see yourself - or the world - the same after confronting the elephant in the brain. |
| brain psychology facts: How Business Works Alexandra Black, 2018-05-03 How Business Works defines and explains the key concepts behind business, finance, and company management. With the right knowledge, business doesn't have to be difficult. Do you know the difference between profit margin, gross profit, and net profit? What is cash flow or a limited company? Using clear language and eye-catching graphics, DK's How Business Works answers hundreds of questions and is an invaluable reference for anyone wanting to learn about business. |
| brain psychology facts: Mindset Carol S. Dweck, 2007-12-26 From the renowned psychologist who introduced the world to “growth mindset” comes this updated edition of the million-copy bestseller—featuring transformative insights into redefining success, building lifelong resilience, and supercharging self-improvement. “Through clever research studies and engaging writing, Dweck illuminates how our beliefs about our capabilities exert tremendous influence on how we learn and which paths we take in life.”—Bill Gates, GatesNotes “It’s not always the people who start out the smartest who end up the smartest.” After decades of research, world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., discovered a simple but groundbreaking idea: the power of mindset. In this brilliant book, she shows how success in school, work, sports, the arts, and almost every area of human endeavor can be dramatically influenced by how we think about our talents and abilities. People with a fixed mindset—those who believe that abilities are fixed—are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset—those who believe that abilities can be developed. Mindset reveals how great parents, teachers, managers, and athletes can put this idea to use to foster outstanding accomplishment. In this edition, Dweck offers new insights into her now famous and broadly embraced concept. She introduces a phenomenon she calls false growth mindset and guides people toward adopting a deeper, truer growth mindset. She also expands the mindset concept beyond the individual, applying it to the cultures of groups and organizations. With the right mindset, you can motivate those you lead, teach, and love—to transform their lives and your own. |
| brain psychology facts: The Knowledge Illusion Steven Sloman, Philip Fernbach, 2017-03-14 “The Knowledge Illusion is filled with insights on how we should deal with our individual ignorance and collective wisdom.” —Steven Pinker We all think we know more than we actually do. Humans have built hugely complex societies and technologies, but most of us don’t even know how a pen or a toilet works. How have we achieved so much despite understanding so little? Cognitive scientists Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach argue that we survive and thrive despite our mental shortcomings because we live in a rich community of knowledge. The key to our intelligence lies in the people and things around us. We’re constantly drawing on information and expertise stored outside our heads: in our bodies, our environment, our possessions, and the community with which we interact—and usually we don’t even realize we’re doing it. The human mind is both brilliant and pathetic. We have mastered fire, created democratic institutions, stood on the moon, and sequenced our genome. And yet each of us is error prone, sometimes irrational, and often ignorant. The fundamentally communal nature of intelligence and knowledge explains why we often assume we know more than we really do, why political opinions and false beliefs are so hard to change, and why individual-oriented approaches to education and management frequently fail. But our collaborative minds also enable us to do amazing things. The Knowledge Illusion contends that true genius can be found in the ways we create intelligence using the community around us. |
| brain psychology facts: Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 8) Donald A. P. Bundy, Nilanthi de Silva, Susan Horton, Dean T. Jamison, 2017-11-20 More children born today will survive to adulthood than at any time in history. It is now time to emphasize health and development in middle childhood and adolescence--developmental phases that are critical to health in adulthood and the next generation. Child and Adolescent Health and Development explores the benefits that accrue from sustained and targeted interventions across the first two decades of life. The volume outlines the investment case for effective, costed, and scalable interventions for low-resource settings, emphasizing the cross-sectoral role of education. This evidence base can guide policy makers in prioritizing actions to promote survival, health, cognition, and physical growth throughout childhood and adolescence. |
| brain psychology facts: How the Brain Works DK, 2020-03-10 Are men's and women's brains really different? Why are teenagers impulsive and rebellious? And will it soon be possible to link our brains together via the Cloud? Drawing on the latest neuroscience research, this visual guide makes the hidden workings of the human brain simple to understand. How the Brain Works begins with an introduction to the brain's anatomy, showing you how to tell your motor cortex from your mirror neurons. Moving on to function, it explains how the brain works constantly and unnoticed to regulate heartbeat and breathing, and how it collects information to produce the experiences of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. The chapters that follow cover memory and learning, consciousness and personality, and emotions and communication. There's also a guide to the brain's disorders, including physical problems, such as tumors and strokes, and psychological and functional disorders, ranging from autism to schizophrenia. Illustrated with bold graphics and step-by-step artworks, and sprinkled with bite-sized factoids and question-and-answer features, this is the perfect introduction to the fascinating world of the human brain. |
| brain psychology facts: The Psychology of Gratitude Robert A. Emmons, Michael E. McCullough, 2004-02-26 Gratitude, like other positive emotions, has inspired many theological and philosophical writings, but it has inspired very little vigorous, empirical research. In an effort to remedy this oversight, this volume brings together prominent scientists from various disciplines to examine what has become known as the most-neglected emotion. The volume begins with the historical, philosophical, and theoretical foundations of gratitude, then presents the current research perspectives from social, personality, and developmental psychology, as well as from primatology, anthropology, and biology. The volume also includes a comprehensive, annotated bibliography of research on gratitude. This work contributes a great deal to the growing positive psychology initiative and to the scientific investigation of positive human emotions. It will be an invaluable resource for researchers and students in social, personality, and developmental, clinical, and health psychology, as well as to sociologists and cultural anthropologists. |
| brain psychology facts: The Power of Bad John Tierney, Roy F. Baumeister, 2019-12-31 The most important book at the borderland of psychology and politics that I have ever read.—Martin E. P. Seligman, Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology at that University of Pennsylvania and author of Learned Optimism Why are we devastated by a word of criticism even when it’s mixed with lavish praise? Because our brains are wired to focus on the bad. This negativity effect explains things great and small: why countries blunder into disastrous wars, why couples divorce, why people flub job interviews, how schools fail students, why football coaches stupidly punt on fourth down. All day long, the power of bad governs people’s moods, drives marketing campaigns, and dominates news and politics. Eminent social scientist Roy F. Baumeister stumbled unexpectedly upon this fundamental aspect of human nature. To find out why financial losses mattered more to people than financial gains, Baumeister looked for situations in which good events made a bigger impact than bad ones. But his team couldn’t find any. Their research showed that bad is relentlessly stronger than good, and their paper has become one of the most-cited in the scientific literature. Our brain’s negativity bias makes evolutionary sense because it kept our ancestors alert to fatal dangers, but it distorts our perspective in today’s media environment. The steady barrage of bad news and crisismongering makes us feel helpless and leaves us needlessly fearful and angry. We ignore our many blessings, preferring to heed—and vote for—the voices telling us the world is going to hell. But once we recognize our negativity bias, the rational brain can overcome the power of bad when it’s harmful and employ that power when it’s beneficial. In fact, bad breaks and bad feelings create the most powerful incentives to become smarter and stronger. Properly understood, bad can be put to perfectly good use. As noted science journalist John Tierney and Baumeister show in this wide-ranging book, we can adopt proven strategies to avoid the pitfalls that doom relationships, careers, businesses, and nations. Instead of despairing at what’s wrong in your life and in the world, you can see how much is going right—and how to make it still better. |
| brain psychology facts: Read People Like a Book: How to Analyze, Understand, and Predict People’s Emotions, Thoughts, Intentions, and Behaviors Patrick King, 2020-12-11 Speed read people, decipher body language, detect lies, and understand human nature. Is it possible to analyze people without them saying a word? Yes, it is. Learn how to become a “mind reader” and forge deep connections. How to get inside people’s heads without them knowing. Read People Like a Book isn’t a normal book on body language of facial expressions. Yes, it includes all of those things, as well as new techniques on how to truly detect lies in your everyday life, but this book is more about understanding human psychology and nature. We are who we are because of our experiences and pasts, and this guides our habits and behaviors more than anything else. Parts of this book read like the most interesting and applicable psychology textbook you’ve ever read. Take a look inside yourself and others! Understand the subtle signals that you are sending out and increase your emotional intelligence. Patrick King is an internationally bestselling author and social skills coach. His writing draws of a variety of sources, from scientific research, academic experience, coaching, and real life experience. Learn the keys to influencing and persuading others. •What people’s limbs can tell us about their emotions. •Why lie detecting isn’t so reliable when ignoring context. •Diagnosing personality as a means to understanding motivation. •Deducing the most with the least amount of information. •Exactly the kinds of eye contact to use and avoid Find shortcuts to connect quickly and deeply with strangers. The art of reading and analyzing people is truly the art of understanding human nature. Consider it like a cheat code that will allow you to see through people’s actions and words. Decode people’s thoughts and intentions, and you can go in any direction you want with them. |
