Brains On Purpose™

New book: "Sleights of Mind: What the Neuroscience of Magic Reveals about Our Everyday Deceptions"

Excerpt of review from Science News:

Magic wands, fake drop boxes and invisible thread may be fun gimmicks, but a magician’s most valuable tool weighs about three pounds and sits in the skull of the spectator.

In their illuminating book, brain experts Martinez-Conde and Macknik make the case that magicians are some of the most skilled neuroscientists around. No mere hucksters, magicians deftly manipulate brains by sculpting attention, perception and memory so that the outrageous seems possible.

The authors, both researchers at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, have a deep appreciation of magic and close ties to the magic community. ...

Click to read the rest.

Click for links to several articles about neuroscience and magic (Web page of Stephen Macknik, one of the book's authors).

Note (added November 6, 2010): Another article about the book: "Science and magic" (The Scientist).

Note (added December 6, 2010): Still another article about the book: "Now You See It: Neuroscientists Reveal Magicians' Secrets" (LiveScience).

 

Remember what embodied cognition is? Let Charles Manson refresh your memory

The phenomenon of embodied cognition, about which I have blogged before (links below), is a good reminder that much more is happening in a conflict than is readily apparent. Conditions such as temperature, weight of objects, and even cleanliness can effect how people respond to each other and to ideas.

Here is a very, very clever way to consider again some of the results of embodied cognition. Take a look at the Neuro-Art Gallery of Embodied Cognition (MindBluff_DOT_com). One of the examples:

Charles Manson, Mugshot

Needed is a bucket of cold water. Dip your hands in cold water to create a frigid zone of contempt. Cold sensations in the brain's sensory sphere influence our emotions accordingly. Chill out to Manson -- he's creepier when you're feeling cold.

Click to see the rest of the Gallery.

A couple of past posts on embodied cognition:

• "Mind over matter? How your body does your thinking": Another article about embodied cognition research
• We think with more than just our minds: Conflict reaches clear down to our toes
• Conflict: Is it all in your head?

On a related note, click to read this post Looking for a massage? by Dan Ariely. Excerpt:

Recent research shows how physical contact can promote trust, even among complete strangers.

"Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science": Why you may want a healthy level of skepticism when looking at research

Here's another article to raise your caution quotient about the science research you read. I hope you click through and read the whole article rather than just my excerpt. From "Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science" (The Atlantic):

When a five-year study of 10,000 people finds that those who take more vitamin X are less likely to get cancer Y, you’d think you have pretty good reason to take more vitamin X, and physicians routinely pass these recommendations on to patients. But these studies often sharply conflict with one another. Studies have gone back and forth on the cancer-preventing powers of vitamins A, D, and E; on the heart-health benefits of eating fat and carbs; and even on the question of whether being overweight is more likely to extend or shorten your life. How should we choose among these dueling, high-profile nutritional findings? [John] Ioannidis suggests a simple approach: ignore them all.

...

THOUGH SCIENTISTS AND science journalists are constantly talking up the value of the peer-review process, researchers

 

Come hear my keynote & breakout on neuroscience of conflict resolution at this state ADR conference

I'll be presenting the keynote address at the annual Colorado Statewide ADR Conference. In addition to the keynote, I will also be presenting one of the breakout sessions at this 4th annual conference titled "Evolving Frontiers of ADR." The event, to be held in Denver, is November 4. The early-bird registration ends October 21.

My topic: "The Mind and the Brain: 21st Century Insight for the ADR Professional."

Click to read the brochure with all the details [pdf].

I hope to see some of you there.

Are there advantages to face-to-face mediations? When are they necessary? This white paper looks to neuroscience for answers

Although this white paper is about business meetings, much of it also would apply to conflict resolution sessions. From the Executive Summary of the white paper "The Future of Meetings: The Case for Face-to-Face" (found on the Web site of the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research):

With the advent of virtual-meeting technology, the issue of how to format group meetings and events has become remarkably complex. Meetings can be completely virtual, completely face-to-face, or a hybrid of the two. Leading companies are using all three formats. The challenge for meeting planners is to decide which format is most effective for important business outcomes. Rather than rely on personal preferences or currently popular approaches, the decision regarding meeting type is a strategic one that should rest on specific, scientific criteria. This paper examines those science-based decision criteria to help executives determine when face-to-face is the most effective approach to large-group meetings or events. This decision is important because face-to-face meetings require the greatest investment of all meeting types, and thus carry the greatest expectations for a strong return on investment. Face-to-face is most likely to be the best approach in the following three business situations:

(1)          To capture attention, particularly when you want to initiate something new or different;

(2)          To inspire a positive emotional climate, as a way to catalyze collaboration, innovation, and performance; and

(3)          To build human networks and relationships, realizing that information can increasingly be shared virtually whereas the greater value is in people networks and relationships.

You download the white paper at the above link. For another summary of it, read Why Invest in Face-to-Face Meetings? Look to Neuroscience" (Corporate Meetings & Incentives). Excerpt:

CO Bar ADR Conference - November 4, 2010

Thanks to everyone who attended one or both of my programs on the 4th. It was an honor to present at the conference.

Here are some materials and resources related to mindfulness, and the neuroscience of conflict resolution.

• Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)
• Values assessment
• More on Quantum Zeno Effect
• The song about the difference between the mind and the brain
• Many kinds of contemplative practices
• Resources on mindful lawyers
• Fun overview of how the brain works
• Interview of Dr. Sara Lazar about the neuroscience of meditation
• Article from The Complete Lawyer: "Lead Your Brain Instead Of Letting It Lead You" [pdf]
• Article from s+b: "The Neuroscience of Leadership" [pdf]
• Article from The Complete Lawyer: "Move From Being a Mindless Lawyer To a Mindful Lawyer"
• Subpersonalities, Roberto Assagioli, and Piero Ferrucci
• "Moving Mediation Back Towards Its Historic Roots—Suggested Changes": An article worth rereading periodically
• Some cautionary words about the use of neuroscience Also here
• Posts about cognitive reframing/reappraisal: 1 and 2

If you are interested in being added to my mailing list, please e-mail me with the words "mailing list" in the subject line. Thank you.

My next Brains on Purpose class is November 13. More here.

And, if you are interested in participating in a Colorado program somewhat like Self-Reflection for Conflict Professionals, e-mail me.

New Scientist article about the bridge between education and neuroscience

As I have blogged in the past, a resolved conflict requires learning, so I pay attention to the neuroscience of learning (even attending a several-day Learning & the Brain Summer Institute in August). Therefore I found this new article of interest.

From "Time for teachers to take another look at neuroscience" (New Scientist):

In recent years, a wide range of research has been used to inform education policy and practice. Arguably it could go further. In this issue we explore a few of the brain-boosting techniques currently under study, from meditation to music. Some of them could be useful as educational tools (see "Mental muscle: six ways to boost your brain").

Such research raises a much wider question. Wouldn't it be handy if we found out how the brain really works - and how children learn best - and then apply these insights to everyday teaching practice?

Over a decade ago, John Bruer of the James S. McDonnell Foundation in St Louis, Missouri, argued that it was possible to bridge the gap between neuroscience and cognitive science, and also the gap between cognitive science and education. But he concluded that the overall gap between the domains of neuroscience and education was "a bridge too far".

Even today, a grand theory of learning that can exert a direct influence on education looks a distant prospect.

There has been important progress, though.  ...

Click to read the rest of the article.