Heart-based brain-boosting techniques through loving acceptance and a relaxed playfulness
Scientific Findings Right brain and memory 
| Right brain and memory |
 
The Learning BrainDel Mar, California: Brain Store, 1994 From the section Emotions and Learning Closely Linked... "Researchers have found critical links between emotions and the cognitive patterning needed for learning. Ornstein, Sobel, Lakoff and Rosenfield have documented how emotions influence learning in two ways: "First, the "flavor" or "color" of our experiences are likely to make us either want more of it (when it was pleasurable) or less of it (when it was boring or painful). "Second, positive emotions allow the brain to make better perceptual maps (O'Keefe and Nadel). That means that when we are feeling positive, we are able to sort out our experiences better and recall with more clarity."
"Our body perceives pain quite differently depending on whether we are enjoyably engaged or bored by the activity. "Karkowski, et al. gave 52 women subjects in two groups two different types of tasks. Both were pre-assessed for pain perception. One group was given a boring and repetitive task. The other, a fun, creative task. The assessment sessions were long and both groups reported fatigue at the end. Then, each subject was again given a pain perception activity (finger pressure). "The group that had the more boring task felt less pain than the group with the creative one. The researchers speculated that doing challenging, enjoyable work may lead to states of "hyper-arousal," where one becomes more acutely aware of sensory input. On the other hand, boring, repetitive work seems to deaden the senses." |