Arlene R. Taylor PhD arlenetaylor Brain References

Presents When Brains Collide with Technology Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Brain References

Brain BendersArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Technology Is Here To StayArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc • iPhone • iPad • Facebook • Texting • Tweeting • Internet surfing • Electronic games • Technology can create problems for the brain—especially the developing brain

Brain LayersArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc McLean’s Triune Brain Model can help to explain both the fascination with technology and its inherent dangers Each brain layer contains distinct functions – although all systems interact continually at some level

Reptilian LayerArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Brain Stem, Cerebellum (subconscious) • Processes the present only • Egocentric in that it directs its • its attention on the self • Contains neurons that release • dopamine (the feel-better chemical) • Motor neurons learn rapid • automatic responses (video games)

Mammalian LayerArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Limbic System Structures (subconscious) • Perceives present and past • Generates emotional impulses • Contains hippocampus search engine • Triggers release of oxytocin when you • connect with others by text, phone, email • Processes information 80,000 times faster than the conscious 3rd brain layer

Neo-Cortex LayerArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Cerebrum (eight lobes, consciousness) • Registers awareness of present, past, and future • Contributes executive aspects • (e.g., abstract thought, metaphor, planning, goal-setting, paying attention, conscience, willpower, morality, problem-solving, decision-making)

Give and GetArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc For most things in life you must give up something to get something Maturity involves evaluating what you will GET versus what you will GIVE up when you are making a choice The same principle applies to technology and the brain

Technology and Brain RewardsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc • Electronics provide chemical brain rewards such as an adrenaline-dopamine rush, which help to keep people using them • Adrenalin is released when • you compete (games) and • gives you a hit of energy • Dopamine is released when you do an enjoyable activity (text, tweet, talk by phone; internet searches; play video games), which helps you feel better

Brain Rewards, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc • Testosterone (in males) goes up when • they play games and/or compete • Oxytocin (bonding chemical) is released when you connect with friends through technology • Adrenalin and cortisol • are released when you • experience stress and • frustration with technology

AddictionArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc The brain can become addicted to the rush of hormones and chemicals that technology provides—you feel like something is missing unless you are involved with technology Your risk of addiction rises to the extent that technology is the most exciting thing in your life and your inability to choose to disconnect for periods of time every day

Reduced LearningArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Learning experiences are encoded in the hippocampus and then moved into long-term memory USF study: Rats were given a new learning experience Some rats went directly to another activity; some rats were given down time directly after the new learning experience

Learning, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc • The rats that went directly • to another activity showed • reduced encoding in long • term memory and reduced learning • The rats that received down time after the new learning experience showed enhanced encoding of the • new experience in long term memory and enhanced learning

Learning - ContinuedArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc In order to consolidate learning, the brain needs daily downtime – this has huge implications for learning You need to schedule time every day to shut off all electronics and give your brain a break so it can “consolidate” what you’re learning and move the information into long-term memory

Ability to Delay GratificationArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc An ability to delay gratification is a key component for almost any type of success—people with addictive behaviors tend to be unable to delay gratification Studies: Participants were given the choice to text now and get a small $ reward or unplug for awhile and get a larger $$ reward the next week

Gratification, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Study results: ability to delay electronic gratification depended on the person contacting the participant The larger the rush from the specific person, the more difficult it was for the participant to delay gratification Daily “unplugging” can help you learn the skills of delaying gratification

Facebook TimeArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc • People who spend three hours per day on Facebook tend to occupy self with self • Use the lower brain layers • over higher brain function • Tend to exhibit decreased • empathy and compassion • Myelination tends to be • stronger in the lower brain layers

Socialization SkillsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc In order to develop effective socialization skills the brain needs real time, real life, face-to-face experiences, practicing striking up a conversation with another person and setting others at ease through small talk Studies: Executive texting during a committee or meeting contributed to the person appearing to be unconnected or somewhat disengaged from the group

AttentionArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc • Bridges (Anterior Commissure and • Corpus Callosum) connect the two • cerebral hemispheres • Both hemispheres are connected to a common brain stem so they sleep and wake at the same time • There appears to be only one integrated attention system—so conscious attention cannot be distributed to or divided between two spatially separate brain locations

Driving & Texting/TalkingArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc The right brain cannot watch traffic while the left brain is texting or decoding speech sounds US National Safety Council: 100,000 vehicle crashes annually are due to texting while driving— 1 + per hour (www.itcanwait.com) Legislation introduced to require teenage drivers to have cell phones turned off completely while the vehicle is moving

MultitaskingArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc The brain was not designed for multi-tasking—it decreases concentration, interferes with decision-making, and increases risk of accidents While driving your mind is processing your destination, route, speed, traffic laws, judging distances between your car and those around you, when to brake or speed up, amount of fuel left in the gas tank…

Driving, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Talking on the phone decreases mindful awareness of traffic conditions In simulations, drivers underestimated the interference of talking on the phone with cognitive processes It can take up to 7 seconds to transfer attention fully from one activity to another

Narcissism (Self Absorption)Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Teenage brain is not “done” yet and is rather self-absorbed (narcissistic) — “It’s all about me . . .” The process of maturing the teenage brain is a learned process, designed to move it away from narcissistic behavior to more balanced, functional, adult behaviors This is not a genetic process—it either is learned or not learned

Narcissism, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc An unbalanced use of technology during adolescent years can interfere with the maturation process If the teenage brain fails to mature and move to more balanced behaviors, it tends to continue narcissistic behavior into adulthood Danger: the antisocial narcissistic adult may exhibit sociopathic behaviors

RecommendationsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc • Practice unplugging from • technology by choice • Take regular breaks to give the brain • time to consolidate information (put • the pieces together and store it) • 3. Walk or bike in nature, read books, • play games, listen to audiobooks, • play or listen to music, do puzzles, • converse face-to-face …

Recommendations, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc • 4. Always turn off phone while driving • Stop texting / tweeting during • classes or in meetings • Practice conscious breathing, a major • component of martial arts, as it helps • to increase awareness • Learn to breathe OUT while exercising • or to help decrease pain

Recommendations, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc • Keep your bedroom free • from technology: • No TV in bedrooms, no iPhone or iPad, and no laptop computers • Shut off all electronics one hour prior to bedtime (LED lights stimulate the brain to wakefulness and can interfere with sleep)

Technology Is Here To Stay, Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc • iPhone, iPad • Facebook • Internet surfing • Electronic games • With some forethought you can prevent technology from creating problems for your brain • The life you save may be your own . . .

Arlene R. Taylor PhD arlenetaylor Brain References