The study in a nutshell: two groups of pre-schoolers were shown a toy with multiple “hidden” featu

res. The first group was shown the toy then instructed on how to use it. The second group was shown the toy and encouraged to explore its features on their own. The study showed that group two, the exploration group, played with with the toy longer and found more of its hidden features then the first, formally instructed group.

I guess the question now is how can some of the needed instruction coexist with foster creatively

and informal play?

To read the article, click here

Some people claim that they can sense someone’s “color aura” (what color is your aura?) or can taste a particular color. These are probably mild forms of synesthesia, given that many times there are in fact flavors associated with colors in everyday life. It’s kind of fun to try this experiment:

Gather a few friends together and give them all a piece of paper and a pencil. Read numbers out to them in random order and have them write down the first colors that comes to mind when they hear the number. Compare the lists to see how many people “saw” the same color for each number. Who’s are the strong synesthetes?

To read the Body Odd article by MSNBC Your Name Tastes Like Purple, click here

In an article featured in a February issue of Journal of Experimental Psychology researchers from the University of Birmingham in England found that those who were encouraged to use their hands performed better on the tasks than those who were not encouraged to use their hands and those who were told to sit on their hands and not use them at all. They also found that in a study of 132 participants given a task (without any instructions about gesturing) hand gesturing increased and the problems became harder. The theory is that using hands aids in improving spatial visualization.

To read the full article, click here

Terrific book on the psychology and emotion that governs why we love or hate the things we do. For instance, why do we love a trinket that may not have any functional value but that is beautiful? Or why do not like something that may be functional but is not beautiful? Donald Norman discusses the various levels of design’s influence over us and the psychology that is involved. Highly recommended!

This book is just packed with neuroscience and psychology research on cognition and how it relates to the way we process our environment – specifically in survival situations. It was riveting!

Editorial Reviews

Turns out the secret to memory loss isn’t really a secret at all.  It may not be what we want to hear, but exercising is a great way to deter memory loss and keep your brain firing on all cylinders. The “use it or lose it” rule applies not only to our muscle tone, but also to key internal players, namely, our brain. Exercising encourages cell growth and improves neurological processes associated with learning and memory.  One research study monitored 300 senior adults over a period of 13 years, and found that those who walked between 6 and 9 miles a week had only 50% of the brain deterioration of those who did not walk.

Research is beginning to reveal some of the truths about brain deterioration and memory loss, and what we can do to help prevent it.

To read the full article, CLICK HERE

An institute inspired by a space's ability to influence mood and creativity

 In an article featured in Scientific American Mind, evidence of the coexistence between neuroscience and design emerges from a number of recent studies. I’m sure many are at least fundamentally familiar with the impact proper lighting can have on mood and behavior as well as color’s relationship to our reaction to and interaction with a space. However, there is a myriad of additional architectural and design features that have substantial affects on the user that may not be common knowledge.  Some examples include how the height of ceilings can influence the ability to think abstractly versus concretely and how natural landscape views can increase attention and the ability to  concentrate (particularly important in elementary schools and among students with ADD).  Another very interesting study used fMRI technology to show that viewing objects with sharp edges and corners activates the amygdala, the area of the brain associated with fear processing and emotional arousal.  Given this information, it has been suggested that designing a space filled with soft edges may be beneficial for spaced such as waiting rooms or counseling facilities, promoting a sense of emotional rest and comfort.  It would especially behoove a number of industries to invest in and promote the progression toward and development in the science of Environmental Psychology. 

Salk Institute

  “The olfactory bulb [the part of the brain associated to and responsible the sense of smell] has intimate access to the amygdala, which processes emotion, and the hippocampus, which is responsible for associative learning.”  It’s all in what they call conditioned responses.  When you detect a small, the brain creates a link between the smell and the contextual memory (ex. Grandma always bakes cookies when I’m over, therefore the smell of cookies is linked to grandma).  Because of its close link to the amygdala, the “emotional center of the brain”, smell also elicits many of the emotional responses with those memories (ex. I was young and happy at my Grandma’s house so the smell of cookies brings back feelings of youth and happiness).

Many marketers are tapping into the idea of emotional memory associated with our sense of smell and capitalizing on the power of olfaction as well. What do you think, smart move?  How much evidence of that is there  in marketing?

To read the article for yourself, click here

Psychiatrists classified the four main personality types under the following categories:

Novelty-seeking = larger area of the brain above the eye sockets.  These personalities tend to act impulsively

Harm Avoidance = significantly less tissue in the orbito-frontal area and the posterior occipital region. These personalities tend to be pessimistic and shy

Reward dependence = far less tissue in the fronto-striatal section of the brain.  There is an affinity for gambling and addictive behavior with this type.

Persistance = no particular region mentioned, but these tend to be hard-working individuals.

 There is also research showing that the neural connects in particular parts of the brain are associated with specific personalities. 

  To read the articles for yourself, click here and here

                                             Maybe there was something to Phrenology after all.

Every year The DANA Foundation hosts “Brain Awareness Week”, of which my Cognitive Neuroscience professor was a devoted participant.   The website is a rich bank of resources and research .  Check it out!