Need a study break to refresh? Maybe not, say researchers
The basic conclusion of this article is that we appear to have as much willpower as we think we have. Which, in some respects is a fairly new idea.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Punk your memory
How to punk memory: the brainworks of misrememberance, fals memories, and alternate realities
This is kind of a fun article. I had the other two articles prior to this one, but have since lost the links.
This is kind of a fun article. I had the other two articles prior to this one, but have since lost the links.
Birth control pills alter brains
Birth control pills shown to alter structure of women's brains
Let's see...chemicals, hormones, continuing brain development...yep, all the elements are there. This qualifies as unsurprising, but the interesting part is in how the brain structure is altered.
Actually, I say "this is not surprising" a lot, but really, that's not the point. As with most science you can look at potentially obvious outcomes and then try to figure out the origin, extent, cause, effect....whatever...of the effect, and that can be really unusual sometimes.
Let's see...chemicals, hormones, continuing brain development...yep, all the elements are there. This qualifies as unsurprising, but the interesting part is in how the brain structure is altered.
Actually, I say "this is not surprising" a lot, but really, that's not the point. As with most science you can look at potentially obvious outcomes and then try to figure out the origin, extent, cause, effect....whatever...of the effect, and that can be really unusual sometimes.
I can make you left-handed
Magnetic pulses to the brain could make you grow up left-handed
No commentary. This is just straight-up freaky.
No commentary. This is just straight-up freaky.
Pain and negativity
Negative emotions influence brain activity during anticipation and experience of pain
Kind of a somewhat misleading headline, negative emotions would influence any activity, but in this case it seems to be a bit of a self-fulfilling prophesy. If you have negative emotions you tend to not cope as well with pain.
Kind of a somewhat misleading headline, negative emotions would influence any activity, but in this case it seems to be a bit of a self-fulfilling prophesy. If you have negative emotions you tend to not cope as well with pain.
Music on the brain
Musical expertise boosts language perception
Intuitively, this makes a lot of sense. In music you get trained to listen carefully to all kinds of nuance that escape a casual listener. It makes sense that other aural-centric activities like language would receive a boost as well.
Intuitively, this makes a lot of sense. In music you get trained to listen carefully to all kinds of nuance that escape a casual listener. It makes sense that other aural-centric activities like language would receive a boost as well.
Bilingual brains are best!
Brain development through bilingual education and activities requiring self-control
Lots of evidence out there shows that developing bi-lingual (or multi-lingual) abilities enhance cognitive abilities. However, I'd say it's just a nice thing to try for even if you live in a relatively homogeneous lingual environment.
Lots of evidence out there shows that developing bi-lingual (or multi-lingual) abilities enhance cognitive abilities. However, I'd say it's just a nice thing to try for even if you live in a relatively homogeneous lingual environment.
Exercise boost brain...mitochondria?
Exercise increases mitochondria in brain cells
So, exercise does much, much more than just "help" - more here.
So, exercise does much, much more than just "help" - more here.
As a man thinketh...
Rewriting self-fulfilling prophecies about social rejection
There is much about social behavior that rests entirely in the perception of yourself and others.
There is much about social behavior that rests entirely in the perception of yourself and others.
Why sleep?
The mystery of sleep and the lucky few who don't need it
I think the sheer number of questions to which we really have absolutely no clue would astonish a lot of people. I'm not just talking about the "down the rabbit hole" types of questions that involve stuff like quantum mechanics - I'm just talking about the everyday stuff that happens around us.
In a related note, we still don't really understand why we yawn, and it is a topic of current research.
I think the sheer number of questions to which we really have absolutely no clue would astonish a lot of people. I'm not just talking about the "down the rabbit hole" types of questions that involve stuff like quantum mechanics - I'm just talking about the everyday stuff that happens around us.
In a related note, we still don't really understand why we yawn, and it is a topic of current research.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Teenagers are messed up....
Teenage brains
This is a very thoughtful and interesting article on the differences between the teen brain and what it later can potentially develop into. Remember to always keep in mind that not everyone develops all the characteristic traits of "adulthood" (whatever that means).
This is a very thoughtful and interesting article on the differences between the teen brain and what it later can potentially develop into. Remember to always keep in mind that not everyone develops all the characteristic traits of "adulthood" (whatever that means).
SpongeBob yen and yang
Two studies:
Spongebob found to impair preschoolers' thinking
Followed shortly thereafter by:
Spoingebob drains attention, but doesn't harm brains
The two stories are well paired this time because the first one is a great representation of the misdirected media blitz over an attention grabbing headline or a word that is fun to insert into a headline (SpongeBob!). The 2nd article points out the flaws of the interpretation of the exact same scientific study.
Yet another example of why you simply cannot trust everything you hear from the media, you need to see original research to understand it, and, finally - don't believe everything you hear from anybody.
Spongebob found to impair preschoolers' thinking
Followed shortly thereafter by:
Spoingebob drains attention, but doesn't harm brains
The two stories are well paired this time because the first one is a great representation of the misdirected media blitz over an attention grabbing headline or a word that is fun to insert into a headline (SpongeBob!). The 2nd article points out the flaws of the interpretation of the exact same scientific study.
Yet another example of why you simply cannot trust everything you hear from the media, you need to see original research to understand it, and, finally - don't believe everything you hear from anybody.
Positive psychology - huh?
What is positive psychology
It's a growing movement in psychology, and one I'm quite fond of and interested in. Acquaint yourself with it.
It's a growing movement in psychology, and one I'm quite fond of and interested in. Acquaint yourself with it.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Brain development and fitness
Children's brain development is linked to physical fitness
You want a healthy brain - then be healthy as a whole person. This is not only logical, but it also is amply supported by evidence.
You want a healthy brain - then be healthy as a whole person. This is not only logical, but it also is amply supported by evidence.
Enhancing learning
Best ways to enhance learning
Believe it or not, after hundreds and hundreds of years, we are still learning an awful lot about how we learn and how best to teach. There is even still active debate behind such "settled" concepts as reinforcement: Learning: is reinforcement required?
Believe it or not, after hundreds and hundreds of years, we are still learning an awful lot about how we learn and how best to teach. There is even still active debate behind such "settled" concepts as reinforcement: Learning: is reinforcement required?
Creativity and insight - how does it work?
The neuroscience of creativity and insight
Very fun article. This is one that everyone should read. Neuroscience is just sexy.
Also, this is a great video of John Cleese talking about creativity (just for the fun of it).
Very fun article. This is one that everyone should read. Neuroscience is just sexy.
Also, this is a great video of John Cleese talking about creativity (just for the fun of it).
What the heck is IQ anyway?
The confusing concept of IQ
I'm not a big fan, theoretically, of intelligence tests, but they're one of the few tools we have to come anywhere near measuring how intelligent someone is, so, flawed or not, they're here to stay for a while.
I'm not a big fan, theoretically, of intelligence tests, but they're one of the few tools we have to come anywhere near measuring how intelligent someone is, so, flawed or not, they're here to stay for a while.
LSD Therapy - this was a real thing
Secret history of psychedelic psychiatry
True story. LSD was considered a wonder drug for fixing psychological problems back in the day. How wild would that be? "Doc, I am feeling pretty blue all the time these days." "Oh, no problem, here, drop some acid and you'll be right as rain!"
True story. LSD was considered a wonder drug for fixing psychological problems back in the day. How wild would that be? "Doc, I am feeling pretty blue all the time these days." "Oh, no problem, here, drop some acid and you'll be right as rain!"
Don't be such a goody-goody!
Do-gooders are unpopular team members
....with other team members anyway. Popularity isn't everything though.
....with other team members anyway. Popularity isn't everything though.
Why you can't trust news reports with statistics
Don't be fooled by scientists, data, statistics and sexy women
I cannot emphasize this enough: NOTHING you read anywhere should be taken at face value. Ever. For any reason. Especially if it comes from Journalism or Academia. There are so many ways that misinterpretation, lack of evidence, bias and perception issues can color any story/finding/experiment/opinion or experience. Nothing (outside of religious circles, and even then there is plenty of room) is absolute. Until you happen to be face-to-face with the creator of the universe and He's giving you the down-low - take everything else with a healthy sense of skepticism and decide things for yourself.
I cannot emphasize this enough: NOTHING you read anywhere should be taken at face value. Ever. For any reason. Especially if it comes from Journalism or Academia. There are so many ways that misinterpretation, lack of evidence, bias and perception issues can color any story/finding/experiment/opinion or experience. Nothing (outside of religious circles, and even then there is plenty of room) is absolute. Until you happen to be face-to-face with the creator of the universe and He's giving you the down-low - take everything else with a healthy sense of skepticism and decide things for yourself.
Zap your brain to improve it!
Electrically stimulating the brain can boost visual memory 110%
So, by my count through either magnetic or electrically stimulating your brain I can: improve memory (electrically stimulate), improve math ability (magnetic disruption), cause time perception distortion (magnet), improve attention (electric - duh!), cause visual impairment (magnet) and there are a few more I know I'm forgetting.
So, by my count through either magnetic or electrically stimulating your brain I can: improve memory (electrically stimulate), improve math ability (magnetic disruption), cause time perception distortion (magnet), improve attention (electric - duh!), cause visual impairment (magnet) and there are a few more I know I'm forgetting.
Music helps you learn
Music training helps learning and memory
I've posted about this before, but it is still worth mentioning. Music knowledge/education is always a good idea.
I've posted about this before, but it is still worth mentioning. Music knowledge/education is always a good idea.
Plan to study
Studying? Great - but get a plan!
If you are a student, I really, really hope this doesn't come as a shock to you. Even if you're NOT a student, this should not be a foreign concept. Success in anything requires forethought and planning. Studying is no different. Most people I've met study pretty much the same way - and it's probably wrong. There are so many variations on how to study and no two people learn in identical ways, even the same person may learn better in different domains through different methods.
Experiment. Research. Find the best way to study FOR YOU and then plan for success.
If you are a student, I really, really hope this doesn't come as a shock to you. Even if you're NOT a student, this should not be a foreign concept. Success in anything requires forethought and planning. Studying is no different. Most people I've met study pretty much the same way - and it's probably wrong. There are so many variations on how to study and no two people learn in identical ways, even the same person may learn better in different domains through different methods.
Experiment. Research. Find the best way to study FOR YOU and then plan for success.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Narcissus had it RIGHT!
Evolution of narcissism: why we're overconfident and why it works
There has been some active research on this in a few different channels - this article does a good job of wrapping up some of the salient points. And also points out that overconfidence isn't exactly a cure-all, but certainly helps in some situations. Which would be a nice lesson for some people I know to learn.
There has been some active research on this in a few different channels - this article does a good job of wrapping up some of the salient points. And also points out that overconfidence isn't exactly a cure-all, but certainly helps in some situations. Which would be a nice lesson for some people I know to learn.
Meditation: different flavors for different effects
Are all meditation techniques the same?
No.
Next question?
Seriously though, I tend to lump meditation techniques into a larger "meditation" category for simplicity sake, which is wrong in specifics, but there are still some very general benefits that are universal. I rarely go into the specifics of different techniques and their usefulness - maybe I should.
No.
Next question?
Seriously though, I tend to lump meditation techniques into a larger "meditation" category for simplicity sake, which is wrong in specifics, but there are still some very general benefits that are universal. I rarely go into the specifics of different techniques and their usefulness - maybe I should.
Video games: improving cognition, decisioning and vision
Do video games enhance cognitive abilities?
Yes.
Next question?
UPDATE: More here: Video gaming prepares brain for bigger tasks and also take a peek at Do action video games make players better decision makers? And still more: Video games improving vision
MORE: Then there is this - which, surprise! contradicts everything above. Just so we're all on the same page, there is no such thing as research on video games that isn't methodologically challenged. I have yet to see one, but the same argument could be made for nearly EVERY kind of research. So, take all the research findings I post here with a HUGE grain of salt. Always. It's kind of a good idea in for life in general as well.
UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: yet another article explaining the study
Yes.
Next question?
UPDATE: More here: Video gaming prepares brain for bigger tasks and also take a peek at Do action video games make players better decision makers? And still more: Video games improving vision
MORE: Then there is this - which, surprise! contradicts everything above. Just so we're all on the same page, there is no such thing as research on video games that isn't methodologically challenged. I have yet to see one, but the same argument could be made for nearly EVERY kind of research. So, take all the research findings I post here with a HUGE grain of salt. Always. It's kind of a good idea in for life in general as well.
UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: yet another article explaining the study
Do you drink alcohol?
Your brain on alcohol
Everything you ever wanted to know about what alcohol does to your brain, but were afraid to ask. Classic picture for the lead-in.
Everything you ever wanted to know about what alcohol does to your brain, but were afraid to ask. Classic picture for the lead-in.
More on violent video games
Violent video games harmless for most kids
This topic will continue to be a hot-bed of research for years to come. And, guess what? It will NEVER be conclusive. Just calling my shot.
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