BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN THE 21THE 21stst CENTURY BRAIN CENTURY BRAIN

From Dawn ‘til DuskFrom Dawn ‘til Dusk

(1) DEVELOPING A MIND…(1) DEVELOPING A MIND…

Newborn 3 months 15 months 2 years

‘‘Thinking is… Movement Confined to the BrainThinking is… Movement Confined to the Brain’ ’

An ‘Enriched’ Environment…An ‘Enriched’ Environment…

Effects of an ‘Enriched’ EnvironmentEffects of an ‘Enriched’ Environment

Standard ‘Enriched’

Connections Give Ever Deeper MEANING Over Connections Give Ever Deeper MEANING Over Time…Time…

Developing And Losing Developing And Losing One’s Mind…One’s Mind…

……Reflected In Brain Cell Reflected In Brain Cell Branching (Connections)Branching (Connections)

The biological basis of the mind is the personalisation of the brain through unique

dynamic configurations of neuronal connections, driven by unique experiences

(2) THE 21ST CENTURY ENVIRONMENT IS (2) THE 21ST CENTURY ENVIRONMENT IS UNPRECEDENTED…UNPRECEDENTED…

Daily Media Usage (standard deviation) for Children, Daily Media Usage (standard deviation) for Children, Preteens and Teens Shown in Hours:MinutesPreteens and Teens Shown in Hours:Minutes

Total hours of media/technology truncated to 3 standard deviations above mean and all total hours above that number were Total hours of media/technology truncated to 3 standard deviations above mean and all total hours above that number were changed to exactly 3 standard deviations above the mean.changed to exactly 3 standard deviations above the mean.

Rosen et al., (2014) Media and technology use predicts ill-being among children, preteens and teenagers independent of the negative health impacts of exercise and eating habits, Computers in Human Behaviour, 35, 364-375,

‘‘Last weekend I had an eye opening moment where the Last weekend I had an eye opening moment where the children had been lazing around the house, using and children had been lazing around the house, using and fighting over technology. When finally I was able to coerce fighting over technology. When finally I was able to coerce them out for a short walk, we took bikes and I watched with them out for a short walk, we took bikes and I watched with delight the laughter and fun the kids had purely riding up delight the laughter and fun the kids had purely riding up and down this one particular steepish dog leg’s bend on this and down this one particular steepish dog leg’s bend on this quiet country road... The enjoyment, laughter and giggles quiet country road... The enjoyment, laughter and giggles from one’s children is truly music to the ears of a parent. I from one’s children is truly music to the ears of a parent. I do not ever hear that laughter when they are using do not ever hear that laughter when they are using technology’.technology’.

(3) THE BRAIN WILL BE CHANGING (3) THE BRAIN WILL BE CHANGING CORRESPONDINGLY IN NEW WAYSCORRESPONDINGLY IN NEW WAYS

Yuan K, Qin W, Wang G, Zeng F, et al. (2011) Microstructure Abnormalities in Adolescents with Internet Addiction Disorder .

The Environment of the Screen: The Environment of the Screen: GamingGaming

Kelly CR, Grinband J, Hirsch J (2007) PLoS ONE 2(12): e1268. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001268

Repeated Exposure to Media Violence Is Associated with Diminished Response in an Inhibitory Frontolimbic

Network.

136 Papers136 Papers

DesensitisationIncreased arousal

Aggressive cognitionAggressive behaviour

381 Independent Tests

130,296 Participants130,296 Participants

Research Article Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in

Eastern and Western countries: A meta-analytic review.Anderson, Craig A.; Shibuya, Akiko; Ihori, Nobuko; Swing, Edward L.; Bushman, Brad J.; Sakamoto, Akira; Rothstein, Hannah

R.; Saleem, MunibaHow to cite: Anderson, Craig A.; Shibuya, Akiko; Ihori, Nobuko; Swing, Edward L.; Bushman, Brad J.; Sakamoto, Akira; Rothstein, Hannah R.; Saleem, Muniba,.

Psychological Bulletin, Vol 136(2), Mar 2010, 151-173

Research Article Video game playing, attention problems, and impulsiveness:

Evidence of bi-directional causality

Douglas A. Gentile, Edward L. Swing, Choon Guan Lim, and Angeline Khoo

How to cite: Gentile, D. A., Swing, E. L., Lim, C. G., & Khoo, A. (2012). Video game playing, attention problems, and impulsiveness: Evidence of bi-directional causality. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 1, 62-70.

Research Article Television and Video Game Exposure and the Development of Attention

ProblemsEdward L. Swing, Douglas A. Gentile, Craig A. Anderson, David A. WalshHow to cite: Edward L. Swing, Douglas A. Gentile, Craig A. Anderson, David A. Walsh 2010,

Television and Video Game Exposure and the Development of Attention Problems Pediatrics Vol. 126 No. 2 pp. 214 -221 (doi: 10.1542/peds.2009-1508.)

Video Games and AttentionVideo Games and Attention

The Effects of Over-ArousalThe Effects of Over-Arousal

ArousalArousal AddictionAddiction RewardReward

Two Basic Modes for the Human BrainTwo Basic Modes for the Human Brain ‘Meaningless’

Prefrontal under-function?• Strong feelings• Sensory• Here-and-now• External environment dominant• Little ‘meaning’• Reduced sense of self• No time-space• Infants and children• More

‘Meaningful’Prefrontal activation?

• Thinking dominates• Cognitive• Past / present / future• Internal perceptions dominant• Personalised ‘meaning’• Strong sense of self• Clear time-space reference• Older children and adults• Less

Having a Having a sensational sensational time…time…

Letting yourself go…Letting yourself go…

Research Article

Decision-Making in Obesity: A Study using the GamblingPignatti R, Bertella L, Albani G, Mauro A, Molinari E, Semenza C.

How to cite: Eat Weight Disord. (2006) Decision-Making in Obesity: A Study using the Gambling11(3):126-32

WithoutWithoutSchizophreniaSchizophrenia

WithWithSchizophreniaSchizophrenia

Childhood and Schizophrenia SimilaritiesChildhood and Schizophrenia Similarities

Easily distractedEasily distractedShort attention spanShort attention span

Inability to interpret proverbsInability to interpret proverbsUnder-functioning Prefrontal Under-functioning Prefrontal

CortexCortex

A Common Factor: A Common Factor: The Press of the Senses?The Press of the Senses?

‘Meaningless’Prefrontal under-function?

• Strong feelings• Sensory• Here-and-now• External environment dominant• Little ‘meaning’• Reduced sense of self• No time-space• Infants and children• More

‘Meaningful’Prefrontal activation?

• Thinking dominates• Cognitive• Past / present / future• Internal perceptions dominant• Personalised ‘meaning’• Strong sense of self• Clear time-space reference• Older children and adults• Less

Two Basic Modes for the Human BrainTwo Basic Modes for the Human Brain

A A CONTINUOUS CONTINUOUS

CYCLE?CYCLE?

(2)(2) High arousal, high High arousal, high levels of dopamine levels of dopamine

releaserelease

(6)(6) Conditions of childhood, Conditions of childhood, schizophrenia, obesityschizophrenia, obesity

(5(5)) Dopamine causes PFC Dopamine causes PFC hypo-functionhypo-function

(4)(4) Dopamine Dopamine releasedreleased

(3) (3) Reward seeking Reward seeking addictive behaviouraddictive behaviour

(7)(7) Drive: sensation Drive: sensation over cognitionover cognition

(8)(8) Greater appeal of a Greater appeal of a screen environment? screen environment?

(1)(1) Intense stimulation Intense stimulation of screen: fast of screen: fast

response response

The Environment of the Screen:The Environment of the Screen:Social Networking SitesSocial Networking Sites

Words: 10% of total impact Words: 10% of total impact Eye contact Eye contact Body languageBody language

Voice(tone/rate/volume)Voice(tone/rate/volume)Pheromones ?Pheromones ?

Physical contact ?Physical contact ?

Communications in Three DimensionsCommunications in Three Dimensions

• A link between atypical brain wave responses in problematic face recognition, characteristic of autism, and also of heavy internet users (He et al., 2011)

• A link between autistic spectrum disorders and an under-functioning prefrontal cortex, indicative of a more literal take on the world (Amodio & Frith 2006)

• A link between early screen experiences and later development of autism (Waldman et al., 2006)

• A link between autistic conditions and an appeal of screen technologies (Finkenauer et al., 2012).

• A link between autistic spectrum disorder and compulsive video game use (Mazurek & Engelhardt 2013)

A Link Between Autistic Type Behaviour and the A Link Between Autistic Type Behaviour and the Screen?Screen?

Promoting Teamwork in 21Promoting Teamwork in 21stst Century Minds Century Minds

Research Article Computers in Human Behavior

Yalda T. Uhlsa, Minas Michikyanb, Jordan Morrisc, Debra Garciad, b, Gary W. Smalle, Eleni Zgourouf, Patricia M. Greenfielda

How to cite: Yalda T. Uhls, Minas Michikyan, Jordan Morris, Debra Garcia, Gary W. Small, Eleni Zgourou, Patricia M. Greenfield, Five days at outdoor education camp without screens improves preteen skills with nonverbal emotion cues, Computers in Human Behavior, Volume 39, October

2014, Pages 387-392, ISSN 0747-5632, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.05.036.

FIVE DAYS AT OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMP WITHOUT SCREENS FIVE DAYS AT OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMP WITHOUT SCREENS IMPROVES PRETEEN SKILLS WITH NONVERBAL EMOTION CUESIMPROVES PRETEEN SKILLS WITH NONVERBAL EMOTION CUES.

History of Blogging…History of Blogging…1999: So I just have to tell someone about this thing my cat did today…

2004: OMG! Cat pictures!

2005: Moving cat pictures!

2007: 1:00pm. My cat just sneezed!1:02pm. Cat sneezed again!1:04pm. Cat hasn’t sneezed recently. Getting worried.

Research Article

Self-Presentation 2.0: Narcissism and Self-Esteem on FacebookSoraya Mehdizadeh, B.Sc.

How to cite: Mehdizadeh S. 2010 Self-Presentation 2.0: Narcissism and Self-Esteem on Facebook13(4):357-64. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2009.0257.

The ‘Something’ about Social NetworkingThe ‘Something’ about Social NetworkingSharing personal info: feel good

Loneliness bad for health SNS: release of dopamine

No normal restraints of negative body language

Privacy trade-off‘Real’ you more

vulnerable

Real you concealed in favour of ideal you

Loneliness

THE ‘REAL’ YOU?

Developing an Inner Narrative…and Identity

‘‘From the moment we become aware of others, we demand to be From the moment we become aware of others, we demand to be told stories that allow us to make sense of the world, to inhabit the told stories that allow us to make sense of the world, to inhabit the

mind of someone else. In old age we tell stories to make small mind of someone else. In old age we tell stories to make small museums of memory. It matters not whether the stories are true or museums of memory. It matters not whether the stories are true or

imaginary.imaginary.

The narrative, whether oral or written, is a staple of every culture the The narrative, whether oral or written, is a staple of every culture the world over. But stories demand time and concentration; the world over. But stories demand time and concentration; the

narrative does not simply transmit information, but invites the reader narrative does not simply transmit information, but invites the reader or listener to witness the unfolding of events’.or listener to witness the unfolding of events’..

Ben MacintyreBen Macintyre

Ellie SimmonsMo Farrah

Peak Performance as an Peak Performance as an Integral Part of Identity and a Life Story... Integral Part of Identity and a Life Story...

The Environment of the Screen: The Environment of the Screen: Search EnginesSearch Engines

Research Article

Higher Media Multi-Tasking Activity Is Associated with Smaller Gray-Matter Density in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex

Kep Kee Loh,Ryota KanaiHow to cite: Loh KK, Kanai R (2014) Higher Media Multi-Tasking Activity Is Associated with Smaller Gray-Matter Density in the Anterior Cingulate

Cortex. PLoS ONE 9(9): e106698. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0106698

Research Article Laptop multitasking hinders classroom learning for both users

and nearby peersFaria Sana, Tina Weston, Nicholas J. Cepeda

How to cite: Faria Sana, Tina Weston, Nicholas J. Cepeda, Laptop multitasking hinders classroom learning for both users and nearby peers, Computers & Education, Volume 62, March 2013, Pages 24-31, ISSN 0360-1315,

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.10.003

• Participants who multitasked on a laptop during a lecture scored lower on a test compared to those who did not multitask

• Participants who were in direct view of a multitasking peer scored lower on a test compared to those who were not.

Multitasking on a laptop poses a significant distraction to both users and fellow students and can be detrimental to comprehension of lecture content.

Research Article Google Generation II: web behaviour experiments with the BBC

David Nicholas, Ian Rowlands, David Clark and Peter Williams.

How to cite: David Nicholas, Ian Rowlands, David Clark, Peter Williams, (2011) "Google Generation II: web behaviour experiments with the BBC", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 63 Iss: 1, pp.28 - 45

Findings –Findings – The Google Generation appears to behave very differently from The Google Generation appears to behave very differently from older generations. By their own admission they are less confident about older generations. By their own admission they are less confident about their searching prowess and this is also demonstrated by the fact that they their searching prowess and this is also demonstrated by the fact that they viewed fewer pages, visited fewer domains and undertook fewer searches. viewed fewer pages, visited fewer domains and undertook fewer searches. Also, tellingly, their search statements were much more the product of cut Also, tellingly, their search statements were much more the product of cut and paste. and paste.

Princess Marya…Princess Marya…

The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting with NatureThe Cognitive Benefits of Interacting with Nature

Marc G. Berman, John Marc G. Berman, John Jonides, and Stephen Jonides, and Stephen Kaplan Psychological Kaplan Psychological Science, 2008. 19 1207-12.Science, 2008. 19 1207-12.

Lazarov, O. Mattson MP, Peterson DA, Pimplikar SW, van Praag H. When Neurogenesis Encounters Aging and Disease. Trends Neurosci. (2010) 33(12): 569-579.

More dividing cells

More newly born neurons

Running Enhances ‘Neurogenesis’:Running Enhances ‘Neurogenesis’:Production of New NeuronsProduction of New Neurons

Physical Activity and Academic Performance in School-age Children

Charles H. Hillman, Kirk I. Erickson & Arthur F. Kramer

Nature Reviews Neuroscience 9, 58-65 (2008)

Exercise-training Effects on Cognition in Older AdultsExercise-training Effects on Cognition in Older Adults

Charles H. Hillman, Kirk I. Erickson and Arthur F. Kramer

Research Article

Effect of Exercise Training on Striatal Dopamine D2/D3 Receptors in Methamphetamine Users during Behavioral Treatment

Chelsea L Robertson, Kenji Ishibashi, Joy Chudzynski, Larissa J Mooney3, Richard A Rawson, Brett A Dolezal, Christopher B Cooper, Amira K Brown, Mark A Mandelkern and Edythe D London

How to cite: Neuropsychopharmacology advance online publication 11 November 2015; doi: 10.1038/npp.2015.331

• High IQHigh IQ• Efficient information processingEfficient information processing• Short attention spanShort attention span• Icons not ideasIcons not ideas• Sensation at premiumSensation at premium• Risk takerRisk taker• Low empathyLow empathy• Need for constant feedbackNeed for constant feedback• Weak sense identityWeak sense identity• Low grade aggression Low grade aggression

(4) THE MINDSET OF THE FUTURE?(4) THE MINDSET OF THE FUTURE?

Promoting Individual FulfilmentPromoting Individual Fulfilment

“Even so, mankind will suffer badly from the disease of boredom, a disease spreading more widely each year and growing in intensity. This will have serious mental, emotional and sociological consequences, and I dare say that psychiatry will be far and away the most important medical specialty in 2014. The lucky few who can be involved in creative work of any sort will be the true elite of mankind, for they alone will do more than serve a machine.”

Isaac Asimov, 1964

From INFORMATION to NEW IDEASFrom INFORMATION to NEW IDEAS1) Isolated Fact2) Relate to other facts = 3) Significance4) Place facts in wider, conceptual framework = 5) Understanding6) Make unprecedented connections = 7) New significance and understanding =8) New ideas!

Mind Change: Mind Change: Global, Global,

Controversial,Controversial,Unprecedented,Unprecedented,Multifaceted… Multifaceted…