Namaste Welcome to SAM-VAD (Together In Conversation) Sunil Rao here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we begin today \u2018let us remember this about \u2018Attention\u2019.<\/strong> <\/em>Our life experience would ultimately amount to whatever we had paid attention to. Attention: is important and most of the times we are so indifferent to it. It is as fundamental as food; and we go blundering about, seeking ways to assuage the craving, instead of learning how to provide ourselves with what we need, sensibly and calmly. We feed the hunger blindly. Once the mechanism is brought to our attention and we begin to study it, it is as if a veil has been stripped off ordinary life, and we become freer in our action and choices.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Today I will talk about one of the ALL ABOUT ME series, published by Hoopoe books a division of The Institute for the study of Human Knowledge. The series is part of the Human Nature Program of ISHK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his foreword to the series, late Dr. Robert Ornstein mentions that the changes to a teen\u2019s brain are similar to the growth of a baby\u2019s brain in the first eighteen months of life. A massive spurt of new brain cells called grey matter occurs, and nerve cells called neurons make new connections. Then slowly, throughout the teenage years and into the early twenties, cells that don\u2019t make connections are trimmed back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientists speculate that this second growth spurt aids us all in adapting to the world. It is that period where we learn a new skill or develop a lifelong habit easily. If you take up a new skill or keep practicing at an old one, your brain will rewire itself to support these abilities at a faster rate than at any other time in your life. No wonder the teen years are such a good time to take up playing guitar or drum, or to learn a new language. On the other hand, you want to avoid getting into some bad habits because they get wired in, too, and will be harder to change later on. Now is really a good time to learn some good habits for dealing with anger, stress and self-control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting through this time in your life can sometimes feel very complicated and you struggle to make sense of the world around you. Maybe you find yourself wondering why you\u2019re suddenly so concerned about what others think. Maybe you find yourself wanting more privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n New questions. New School. New styles. You are changing, you\u2019re friends are changing. But you might be able to make more sense of these changes if you have the right information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is about how we see, think, and feel; how these abilities work, how they change, grow or get stuck and how reliable they are as we try to make sense of ourselves, our friends, our relatives and the world around us. There is good, solid information readily available and scientifically validated, but a lot of people seem too busy to pay attention to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let us look at some interesting excerpts now from the book:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat We See and Don\u2019t See\u201d<\/strong>: by Robert Guarino<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This book explores perception. Here we discover how our five senses can be \u201cextended\u201d and our perception enhanced. How we see what we see and sometimes don\u2019t see what is obviously in front of us. There are some interesting activities to participate along the way as you read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is available as an eBook and can be downloaded on your kindle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perception is the process by which the brain, selects, computes and organizes incoming information into simple, meaningful patterns.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now the Excerpts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter: Introduction: The Bare Necessities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Information gathered by the senses is the first step in perception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our brains organize the complex information received by the senses into simple, meaningful patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because our brains work to simplify complex information, we often have to resist \u201cjumping to conclusions\u201d or rushing to a judgment\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes if we work too long on a problem we can lose sight of the obvious \u2013 just like we can\u2019t see the nose on our face. Don\u2019t shy from talking to someone that can bring a fresh perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter: K.I.S.S.: Keeping It Simple, Stupid<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We look for and find patterns everywhere \u2013 in clouds, inkblots, wallpaper and linoleum kitchen floors. The human brain specializes in organizing complex information into simplified patterns. Prehistoric humans were running from bears (wild animals), their survival depended on it. Detecting patterns in animal behavior assisted in hunting and in the night sky assisted travelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nowadays we are more likely to find ourselves applying this pattern-seeking ability to solving word searches, puzzles, math problems, or even analyzing a rival school\u2019s football strategies. But sometimes our ability to see patterns can get us in trouble. We see them when they aren\u2019t there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of our superstitions result from our brain\u2019s efforts to turn incomplete information into meaningful patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research suggests, increased levels of dopamine \u2013 a chemical produced by the brain \u2013 contributes to a person\u2019s inclination to see patterns in random noise. Sometimes this takes the form of hearing ghosts in the howling wind. Sometimes we see the face of a religious figure in a rock. Some athletes insist on wearing the same \u201clucky\u201d shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our brains use four main strategies for Organizing perception : Organizing by figure and background, Organization by proximity, Organization by Similarity, Organization by continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once our brains are organized and interpreted external stimuli into a simple, meaningful pattern, it is not easy to get it to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mistakes happen, sometimes we need to double-check our interpretation of events. Sometimes we need to \u201cwalk a mile in someone else\u2019s shoes\u201d before we can understand their interpretation of events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter on Let\u2019s Get Physical \u2013 Or Making Sense of our Senses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sight does not take place in the eyes but with the assistance of the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The colour of our eyes is influenced by the part of the world our ancestors came from. Light eyes let in more light, blue eyes are more prevalent in cold darker climates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our sense organs gather information as a first step in perception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smelling and tasting are \u201cChemical\u201d senses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perception is a multisensory process. Our senses work together, often below our conscious recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Implicit perceptual abilities can be brought to conscious awareness and strengthened with practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter on Now You See It, Now You Don\u2019t – ASSUMPTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our perception evolved to organize and simplify information presented to the senses and to draw conclusions from incomplete sensory information so that we can act effectively and insure our survival. When we draw conclusions based on suggestions or clues supplied by the senses, we are making unconscious inferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If we consider that our perceptual system evolved when we were creatures living in the wilds of the world, we quickly realize that it was to our ancestors benefit to be able to react quickly to information received from the environment. If a bear were heard coming your way, would you want a perceptual system that required you to confirm that it was a bear before you took cover? On the other hand, if you were hunting, would you not be more effective if you could track an animal from the incomplete information or clues it left behind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our unconscious inferences are often the source misunderstandings among friends or with parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As assumptions change, perceptions will change too. Our Needs and Values influence perception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People perceive desirable objects as closer than less desirable objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assumptions and unconscious inferences can influence how we perceive events. That\u2019s why people often disagree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter on Steady As She Goes, Captain \u2013 Keeping it Constant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While computing, interpreting and organizing sensory information into simple, meaningful patterns, your brain also works hard to present you with a stable, constant world despite the ever-changing sensory data you encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perception is not absolute or fixed, but relative or comparative. Interpreting sensory experience relative to other information helps maintain constancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remembering that our brain makes decisions based upon relative information can help you understand why a teacher might treat two students who have forgotten their homework differently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter on The Final Frontier – Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Research has shown that humans rely on both internal and external cues to perceive objects and events in the space around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Internal Cues include changes in the eye and binocular disparity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n External Cues include interposition, perspective, size, texture gradient and relative brightness. Motion parallax and optical expansion are external cues used when objects are in motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter on A Round Peg in A Square World Or Cultural Effects on Perception<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Humans live in all types of environments in the world and in many different cultures. These cultures and environments influence what we perceive \u2013 how we interpret or make sense of sensory input.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our world is a \u201ccarpentered\u201d world, dominated by boxes, rectangles, straight lines, and ninety-degree angles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our environment, culture and education influence the relative judgments made by the brain to maintain a stable interpretation of the external world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we are exposed to new experiences, we shouldn\u2019t be too surprised that our beliefs grow and change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter on Stop Making Sense \u2013 Altered Perception<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Like our bodies, our brain needs good care: proper nourishment, rest, restoration and appropriate stimulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If we are sick or tired because we just pulled an all-nighter studying for an exam, our brain\u2019s ability to judge quickly and precisely can be much slower. Drinking coffee or eating lots of sugar can alter our blood chemistry to overcome fatigue, but that won\u2019t change the way our brain functions. You may feel more awake, but your judgment may still be impaired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With repeated drug use, brain\u2019s chemistry is altered. The brain may actually stop producing certain chemicals if a drug is supplying them. This is what causes the crippling effects of drug addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without enough sleep our judgment and memory are affected. Lack of sleep can even promote weight gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Animals and autistic people don\u2019t see their ideas<\/em> of things; they see the actual things themselves. Normal people blur all those details together into their general concept of the world\u2026.. Animals see details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter on Mental Missteps or Cognitive Illusions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Anchoring emphasizes the lingering effects of first impressions in evaluating later experiences. Consciously or unconsciously we often remain anchored to our original opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cognitive illusions occur because the brain makes relative judgments. It makes decisions by comparing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When your emotions are stirred \u2013 if you are too excited or too angry \u2013 your judgment may be impaired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter on Different Strokes For Different Folks \u2013 A Wider Range of Perception<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Art and literature can help us understand perception and help us avoid the pitfalls of in-attentional blindness<\/p>\n\n\n\n Literature, like art, provides opportunities to pay attention to details we learn to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teaching stories are especially designed to develop thinking skills and perception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being open to possibilities is an important characteristic of an effective problem solver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeking assistance does not mean you are less independent. It actually shows, you know how to use your self-control.<\/strong><\/p>\n