Brain Rules for Thinking Smarter

Guest Speaker: John Medina Hosted By: Alvaro Fernandez

SharpBrains Brain Fitness Series June 3rd, 2008

An Introduction to SharpBrains

Brain Fitness Market Research and Advisory Services: Independent, not affiliated with products/ vendors. For institutions: Market Research, Consulting and Training Services. For individuals: Blog and Educational Website

Co-Founded by neuroscientist Elkhonon Goldberg and executive & educator Alvaro Fernandez.

Member of Scientific American Partner Network. Over 10 scientists, educators, as blog Expert Contributors. Featured by NYT, US News & World News, Reuters…

Learn more: www.sharpbrains.com Contact: Alvaro Fernandez at information@sharpbrains.com

An Introduction to our Webinar Series

#1: “The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market, 2008” May 27th

#2: “Brain Rules for Thinking Smarter”, with John Medina June 3rd

#3: “The Science and Practice of Brain Fitness” June 10th

John Medina and Brain Rules

Dr. John Medina: developmental molecular biologist and research consultant.

Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School (Pear Press, March 2008)

http://www.brainrules.net/

My 3 Key Take-Aways

Rule #1: Don’t hire coach potatoes (Or be one)

Rule #4: Multitask at your peril (and others’) Rule #8: You have one brain

Rule #1: Exercise boosts brain power. Best business meeting: walking at

about 1.8 miles per hour. Aerobic exercise improves executive

functions. No need to run triathlons. Exercise improves cognition for two

reasons:- Increases oxygen flow into the brain - Acts directly on the molecular machinery of the brain itself

The cognitive value of exercise

Source: Colcombe, S and Kramer, AF (2003)Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults: a meta-analytic study Psych Sci 14: 125 - 130

Rule #4: We don't pay attention to boring things.

Previous experience and pattern recognition.

Can I eat it? Will it eat me? Can I mate with it? Will it mate with me? Have I seen it before?

Multi-tasking, and our sequential processor. Driving while talking on a cell phone is like driving drunk.

The always online organization is the always unproductive organization. Error rate goes up 50% and it takes you twice as long to do things.

Rule #4: We don't pay attention to boring things.

Rule #8: Stressed brains don't learn the same way.

Stress that lasts about 30 seconds: OK You can actually watch the brain shrink. Stress damages cognition. If you want your kid to get into Harvard, go

home and love your spouse. You have one brain.

Rule #8: Stressed brains don't learn the same way.

Mendl M (1999)Performing under pressure: stress and cognitive functionApplied Animal Behavioral Science 65(3): 221 - 244

My 3 Key Take-Aways

Rule #1: Don’t hire coach potatoes (Or be one)

Rule #4: Multitask at your peril (and others’) Rule #8: You have one brain

Resources Mentioned

Tons of excellent content: http://www.brainrules.net/

Books John Gottman: Raising an Emotionally Intelligent

Child Robert Sapolky: Why Zebras Don’t Have Ulcers Bruce McEwen: The End of Stress As We Know It

Research Michael Posner: on Attention Art Kramer: on Physical Exercise and Cognition

John Medina and Brain Rules

Dr. John Medina: developmental molecular biologist and research consultant.

Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School (Pear Press, March 2008)

http://www.brainrules.net/