The Owner's Manual for the Brain () by Howard, Pierce -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Contents Quick Content Guide Preface Part One. Forming a Foundation: The Context for Using Your Owner’s Manual 1 Getting Started: A Framework for Exploring Mind-Brain Concepts

The Mind-Brain Dichotomy Human or Animal: What’s the Difference? What Is the Mind-Brain? The Core Principles of Cognitive Science The Nature-Nurture Debate: The Pendulum Swings The Neuroplasticity Debate: What Are the Limits on Rewiring the Brain?

2 Brain Basics: A Refresher Course in Hardware and Hormones

Two Key Features of the Brain: RAS and the Gap Neurotransmitters: The Alphabet of Personality The Two Sides of the Brain Brain Waves and Conscious States The Use of Animals in Human Research The (Relatively) New Kid on the Block: Mirror Neurons The Scientific Method: A Warning The Caveat Box

3 The Trouble with Drugs: Of Crutches and Cures

3.1 The Importance of Overall Health 3.2 Whole Medicine: Biology, Sociology, and Psychology 3.3 The Politics and Business of Pharmaceuticals 3.4 Prescription Drugs and Their Side Effects 3.5 The Effects of Chemicals on the Elderly 3.6 Brain Nutrient Drugs A Note on Ethnicity and Drug Effectiveness

Part Two. From the Cradle to the Grave . . . with a Turbulent Stop at Adolescence 4 Starting Well: Windows of Opportunity

4.1 The Pregnant Brain: An Up-Front Note to Moms and Dads 4.2 Effects of Various Agents on the Embryo 4.3 Prenatal Learning and Development 4.4 Temperament and the Prediction of Adult Personality 4.5 Breastfeeding 4.6 The Critical Early Years (Ages 1–3) 4.7 Prematurity—A Whine Before Its Time . . . 4.8 Irreversible Damage (Age 8) 4.9 Adverse Conditions and the Resilient Child 4.10 Memory in Early Childhood (Infancy to Ages 7–10) 4.11 Infants and Sleep 4.12 Different Strokes for Different Effects

5 The Tumultuous Teens: Understanding the Adolescent Brain

5.1 The Pre-Puberty Neuronal Explosion 5.2 Processing Instructions with Emotion 5.3 Memory vs. Musing as a Basis for Decision Making 5.4 Teenage Circadian Rhythm and School Start Time 5.5 Self-Destructive Behavior: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Drugs 5.6 Harris on the Role of the Salient Peer Group 5.7 A Win-Win Approach to Discipline 5.8 Depression During the Teens

6 Finishing Well: Use It or Lose It

6.1 General Effects of Aging 6.2 Old Age and Mental Ability 6.3 Control, Social Capital, and Optimism 6.4 Diet and Aging 6.5 Exercise and Aging 6.6 Combining Diet and Exercise 6.7 Night Vision 6.8 Memory and Aging 6.9 Driving over 65 (Years, Not Miles per Hour!) 6.10 Sex and Longevity 6.11 Sleep and Aging A Final Word on Aging Gracefully

7 The Brain Gone Awry: When Your Lobes Get Sick

Neurobehavioral Disorders Treatment Alternatives A Note on Placebos 7.1 Genetics and Disease 7.2 The Immune System and Psychoneuroimmunology 7.3 Caring for Caregivers 7.4 Cousins: The Four Ingredients of Hardiness 7.5 Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia 7.6 Anxiety: A Family of Disorders 7.7 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 7.8 The Autism Spectrum 7.9 Depression 7.10 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 7.11 Stroke (Brain Attack)

8 Sex Differences: How the Brains of Females and Males Differ

8.1 Physical Differences in the Sexes from the Outset 8.2 Gender Medicine 8.3 The Math-Verbal Controversy 8.4 Vision 8.5 Space 8.6 The Effect of Odors on Females 8.7 Gender Differences in Taste 8.8 Automatization A Final Word on Sex and Gender

9 Social Neuroscience: Human Interaction and Connecting Minds

9.1 Empathy and Mirror Neurons 9.2 The Bright Side of Being Social: Happiness and Altruism 9.3 A Quick Trip Through the Social Emotions 9.4 Social Connection Trumps Social Isolation 9.5 The Political Brain 9.6 The Ethics of Reciprocity: Are We Wired to Treat Others as We Want to Be Treated? 9.7 Social Rewards 9.8 Social Resilience 9.9 Social Contagion and Social Network Behavior

Part Three. Wellness: Getting the Most Out of Every Day 10 Brain Wellness: Habits that Lead to Optimum Brain Performance

10.1 Maintenance Requirements 10.2 Roundup of Memory Boosters 10.3 Cell Phones 10.4 How to Formulate Effective Goals 10.5 Multitasking—Not! 10.6 Time Out! 10.7 Negative Ions 10.8 Natural Sunlight and the Color Rendering Index (CRI) 10.9 The Effect of Color 10.10 The Effect of Sound on Concentration 10.11 The Effect of Noise 10.12 The Effect of Odors and Sense of Smell 10.13 Cognitive Enhancement, or Brain Training

11 Music . . . as a Means and as an End

11.1 Learning Music 11.2 Musical Training and Spatial Ability: The Mozart Effect 11.3 When Music Interferes with Learning 11.4 Music and Mathematical Ability 11.5 Music and the Injured Brain 11.6 The Effect of Music on Mood 11.7 Music and Personality 11.8 Music as Psychotherapy

12 Powders and Elixirs: Mind-Altering Agents

12.1 Alcohol 12.2 Aspirin 12.3 Caffeine 12.4 Cocaine 12.5 Ecstasy 12.6 Marijuana 12.7 Nicotine 12.8 Addictions

13 Humoring the Mind: Laughter as Free (or Cheap) Medicine

13.1 The Structure of Humor 13.2 The Comedic Personality 13.3 Humor and the Immune System 13.4 Humor and Gender

14 Nourishment: Food for the Body, Fuel for the Brain

14.1 Appetite Control 14.2 Metabolism 14.3 Eating Disorders 14.4 Additives 14.5 Breakfast 14.6 Chocolate 14.7 Fat 14.8 Mood: The Role of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, and Sugars 14.9 Omega-3 Fatty Acids 14.10 Peak Physical Performance 14.11 Sodium 14.12 Taste 14.13 Taste Buds 14.14 Undernourishment and Performance 14.15 Violence and Sugar 14.16 Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

15 Love and Romance: The Wiring Is the Name of the Game

15.1 Sexual Identity: How We See Ourselves 15.2 Sexual Orientation: To Whom We Are Attracted 15.3 Sexual Role: Our Everyday Behavior 15.4 The Ideal Mate: Factors Influencing Partner Selection 15.5 Lust, Romance, and Attachment: An Overview 15.6 Lust: The Neurochemistry of the One-Night Stand 15.7 Romance: The Neurochemistry of Consuming Adoration 15.8 Attachment: The Neurochemistry of the Long-Haul Relationship 15.9 Maintaining Relationships 15.10 Handling Rejection 15.11 Jealousy 15.12 Affairs 15.13 The Effects of Marital Discord 15.14 Sexual Fantasies 15.15 Orgasm 15.16 Personality Traits and Sexual Behavior 15.17 Inbreeding

16 A Good Night’s Sleep: Cycles, Naps, Dreams, and Nightmares

16.1 The Sleep Cycle 16.2 The Purpose and Benefits of Sleep 16.3 The Circadian Rhythm 16.4 Time Zone Changes 16.5 Sleep and Exercise 16.6 Sleep and Diet 16.7 Sleep and Weight 16.8 The Effect of Odors on Sleep 16.9 The Effects of Sleep Deprivation 16.10 Sleep and Medication 16.11 Naps 16.12 Naps at Work 16.13 Shift Work 16.14 Dreams 16.15 Nightmares 16.16 Sleep Differences Between the Sexes 16.17 Getting Back to Sleep 16.18 Stability in Sleep Patterns 16.19 If You Don’t Want to Sleep! 16.20 Apnea and Restless Legs A Final Word on Sleep

17 Pain: God’s Big Joke?

What Is Pain? 17.1 Causes of Pain 17.2 How to Describe Pain 17.3 Common Treatments:Drugs, Nature, and the Mind 17.4 Pain and Diet 17.5 Pain and Rhythmicity—Of Diet, Sleep, Body Function, and Other Routines 17.6 Headaches

18 The Body Cognitive: The Effects of Exercise

18.1 Exercise as Brain Fuel 18.2 Aerobic Activity 18.3 The Importance of Choice 18.4 Altering Mood and Cravings 18.5 Extreme Exercise and Overtraining 18.6 Concussions and Contact Sports: Soccer Headers, Football Collisions, and Other Sources of Unintended Consequences 18.7 Peak Athletic Performance

19 Woofers, Bleaters, and Mewers: The Neuroscience of Pets and Other Animals

19.1 Animals Have Personalities, Both Natural and Acquired 19.2 But Do They Have Consciousness? (Yes!) 19.3 Veganism and Animal Rights 19.4 Perception of Details versus Schemas and the Big Picture: The Autism Connection 19.5 Animal and Autism Endorphin Levels and the Survival Value of Fear 19.6 Programs for the Study of Animal Neuroscience 19.7 Indoor Stimulation

Part Four. Learning: The Brain as Student 20 How We Learn: Acquiring and Remembering Information

The Mechanics of Memory Defining Memory A Note on Genetics and Learning 20.1 The Three Stages of Memory Formation 20.2 Memory Slip-Ups as a Two-Edged Sword 20.3 The Two Kinds of Memory Chunks 20.4 An Overview of the Three Strategies for Learning and Remembering Strategies for How We Might Intend to Learn 20.5 Advance Organizers 20.6 Atmosphere 20.7 Developing Prestige 20.8 Focus and Attention 20.9 Follow-Up 20.10 Positive Expectations 20.11 Rapport 20.12 Relaxation 20.13 Richness 20.14 Stereotypes and Performance 20.15 Strategies for Studying 20.16 Transfer: Applying Classroom Ideas to the Real World 20.17 Two Modes of Processing Information Strategies for How We Might Organize for Learning 20.18 Breaks 20.19 Chunking 20.20 Control 20.21 How Personality Traits Do and Do Not Support Different Kinds of Learning 20.22 Incubation 20.23 Memory and Emotion 20.24 Modalities 20.25 Schemas 20.26 Spacing 20.27 The Development of Critical Thinking from Grade School Through University 20.28 What Makes Good Textbooks? Strategies for How We Might Practice What We’ve Learned 20.29 Habituation 20.30 Handle It! 20.31 Peer Feedback 20.32 Practice for Simple Mastery 20.33 Practice for Expert Performance 20.34 Self-Explanation 20.35 State Dependence 20.36 Testing as a Learning Process 20.37 Visualization Some Myths About Learning A Final Word on the Role of the Teacher

21 Giftedness: Letting the Genius Out of the Bottle

21.1 Recognizing Giftedness 21.2 Supplementing the Curriculum for Gifted Children 21.3 Changing the System of Education for Gifted Children 21.4 Genius in Adults Giftedness, Adulthood, and Eminence

22 Building Babel: Acquiring and Developing Language

22.1 How Language Grows Up 22.2 Dyslexia 22.3 Handedness 22.4 The Case for a Universal Grammar 22.5 Teaching Reading 22.6 “Speed” Reading 22.7 Writer’s Block 22.8 Language and Mood 22.9 Language and Memory 22.10 Neuronal Commitment and Later Language Learning 22.11 Learning a Foreign Language

23 Learning Mathematics: Inborn Talent Is Just Part of the Equation

23.1 The Importance of Early Experience in Establishing Basic Math Concepts 23.2 The Traditional Girl and Her Readiness Issues 23.3 It’s Never Too Late: A Course for Math Haters/Phobes 23.4 The Role of Culture: The U.S.A. and Sweden Have Company 23.5 The Asian Advantage: How Some Languages, Plus Hard Work, Support Math Learning 23.6 The Largest Obstacle: Poor Teaching-Learning Environment 23.7 Dyscalculia: The Learning Disability for Numbers

Part Five. Creativity and Problem Solving: Making Mountains Out of Hills 24 Getting to New You: The Psychobiology of Creativity

24.1 The Creative Act 24.2 The Psychology of the Creative Personality 24.3 The Biology of the Creative Personality 24.4 The Four Stages of the Creative Process 24.5 Creative Giants 24.6 Creativity and Madness 24.7 Assessing for Creativity

25 Chipping Off the Old Block: Removing Barriers to Creativity

25.1 General Principles for Developing Creativity 25.2 Obstacles to Creativity 25.3 The Persistence of the Past in Present Creative Acts 25.4 Increments vs. Leaps 25.5 The Influence of Social Networks on Creativity 25.6 Hypnosis and Creativity 25.7 Epstein on Barriers to Creativity 25.8 Using Synesthesia to Move from the Humdrum to the Creative

26 Creating Leverage: Brain-Based Decision Making

26.1 Styles for Approaching Problems 26.2 Types of Problems 26.3 Describing the Problem 26.4 Reaching Solutions: Algorithms and Heuristics 26.5 Games and Problem-Solving Ability 26.6 Sleep, Relaxation, and Problem Solving 26.7 Trust the Experts 26.8 Appreciative Inquiry vs. Problem Solving 26.9 How to Select the Right Technique 26.10 Loss Aversion 26.11 Maximizers and Satisficers 26.12 Decision Fatigue 26.13 Is More Choice Better? Some Final Thoughts on Brain-Based Decision Making

27 Neuromarketing: Brain-Based Selling and Influencing

27.1 Celebrities Sell 27.2 Framing the Purchase Choices 27.3 Hyperbolic Discounting 27.4 Turning It Upside Down: When We Are the Marketers 27.5 The Power of Free/Zero 27.6 The Single Best Persuasion Technique

28 Forensic Neuroscience: Brains, Free Will, and Legal Responsibility

28.1 A Caution About Memory’s Unreliability 28.2 Witness Management 28.3 Detection of Lying and Deception 28.4 Reading Another’s Brain to Predict Behavior 28.5 Real vs. Imagined Memories 28.6 Neuroethics and Forensics

Part Six. Putting It All Together: How We Differ and What Makes Us Tick 29 Getting Smart about IQ: The Many Ways to Be Intelligent

29.1 The Heritability of Intelligence 29.2 How Environment Shapes Intelligence 29.3 Process Tools: Sternberg’s Triarchic Model of Intelligence 29.4 Content Talents: Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) 29.5 Structural Definitions of Intelligence 29.6 Intelligence and the Time Span of Work Some Final Thoughts on Intelligence

30 The Big Five: At Last, a Universal Language for Personality Traits

A Warning About Using Labels The Equalizer Model of Personality A History of Temperament Theory 30.1 The Inherited Basis of Personality Traits 30.2 The Big Five 30.3 The Physical Basis of Personality 30.4 Personality Changes over Time 30.5 Sex Differences in the Big Five 30.6 Relationships vs. Self-Development 30.7 Can You Change Your Personality?

31 EQ, Call Home: Getting Savvy about Your Emotional Side

31.1 A Model for Emotions 31.2 The Appraisal Filter: What Triggers Emotions 31.3 Emotions’ Home: The Body as Catalyst 31.4 Coping Mechanisms 31.5 The Behavioral Approach to Emotions 31.6 The Biological Approach to Emotions 31.7 EQ vs. IQ 31.8 Emotions vs. Moods

32 Violence and Aggression: Running Hot and Cold in a Global Society

32.1 The Origins of Violence 32.2 Violence as Bad Chemistry 32.3 The Role of Peers in Shaping Violence 32.4 Violence in Schools 32.5 Television Watching and Video Gaming

33 Stress and Burnout: The Unrelenting Fire Alarm

33.1 The Anatomy of Stress 33.2 Stress and Arousal 33.3 Type A Research 33.4 Burnout: Maximum Demotivation 33.5 Trait Dissonance 33.6 Stress and Evolution 33.7 Stress Doesn’t Affect Everyone in the Same Way

34 Happiness: The False God

If I’m Not Naturally Happy, What’s in It (i.e., Life) for Me? 34.1 Flow: Total Absorption in the Task at Hand 34.2 Fit: Work That Builds on Your Strengths 34.3 Goal Progress: En Route to Personally Meaningful Goals 34.4 Relationships: Friends for Fellowship and Intimacy 34.5 Altruism: Service to Others 34.6 A Word About Pleasure: Finding Flavor 34.7 Optimism vs. Helplessness 34.8 Human Resource Optimization A Reminder: Happiness Is Not a Goal

Part Seven. Closing with a Prayer: A Peek at States of Consciousness 35 States of Consciousness: Phases of the Mind 913

35.1 What Is Consciousness? 35.2 In and Out of Flow 35.3 Free Will 35.4 Hypnosis 35.5 The God Module 35.6 The Efficacy of Prayer 35.7 Ontology: How We Fit into the Cosmos

36 Updating Your Owner’s Manual: The Continuing Search for New Mind-Body Applications Appendices

A The Brain Illustrated B Sex and Gender Differences C Evaluating Your Learning Practices D Brainstorming E Brainwriting F Big Five Feedback Form G Developing the Five Dimensions H Compensating for the Five Dimensions I Rapport and Influence Strategies J Evaluating the Intelligence of a Job Candidate K Personal Checklist for Intelligent Behaviors L My Shapers: A Personality Infrastructure Template

Definitions Bibliography: Books, Journals, and Other Resources Index Reader Participation Card About CentACS: The Center for Applied Cognitive Studies The Author Praise for The Owner’s Manual for the Brain Credits Copyright About the Publisher

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