2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
It is surprising that we know so much about our planet, history and nature, and we know practically nothing about the main tool with which we learn about the world - the brain. And if even scientists say this, then what can we say about ordinary people. In a Quora thread, neuroscientists, researchers, and psychologists shared interesting facts about the brain that reveal a little more about ourselves.
Many more people can boast that they know how to burn belly fat than those who know why our brains remember information. Therefore, if you want to become one of those who understand how our main tool works, read on.
How the brain treats interruptions at work
Passionate about work, we take breaks only when we are so tired that we cannot continue working. A 2010 study suggests we are doing the wrong thing.
Ariel Tambini with colleagues in the processing and memorization of information. Biologically, this process occurs at the expense of the hippocampus, which sends information to the neocortex, where it is stored. Researchers have found that when you work for a long time, the brain cannot perform this task as efficiently, once again proving the importance of short breaks in work.
Another interesting one was held in 1993. It turned out that great violinists practice about the same amount of time every day as ordinary musicians. However, unlike mediocre violinists, their more successful colleagues break their lessons into 60-90 minute intervals. Between classes, they rest, have fun, or even sleep.
How science allows you to control a person
It may even be a good thing that we know so little about the brain. Anyone who can control the brain of other people will gain no less control over the world. While this sounds like the ravings of a mad scientist in a foil hat, small steps towards managing people have been made for a long time.
For example, try this simple test:
Guess the category of words (colors, numbers, technique) and ask a friend to try and guess the category by naming random words. If he gets to the point, say: "Well done, great!". If not, just be quiet.
After a while, your friend will only name words from the category you have conceived. Why?
You rewarded him for the correct answer and "punished" for the wrong one. This is a great example of how operant conditioning works. This term means pushing people towards a goal using methods of reward and punishment that are universal for the members of this group, that is, for people.
Another great example of operant conditioning is social media. Facebook, VKontakte, Quora - they all encourage users in the same way - like, making us addicted. And this is just the beginning.
Electric shocks and productivity
Scientists at the University of New Mexico went even further in their desire to make our brains more efficient. They conducted, with the help of which they found out that a light discharge of current directed into the human skull, improves the results of passing a certain test by the experimental more than twice. For a certain time (from 15 to 20 minutes), the scientists fed a small discharge of current of 2 milliamperes into the cerebral cortex of the subjects. Improved performance did take place, and the subjects could not clearly explain why they began to perform the test significantly better.
I’m at the same time incredibly interested and scared to think about what we do not know about our own brain. Do you think we will be able to properly dispose of the knowledge gained?
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