Brain Rules Summary (7/10)

*Brain Rules *by John Medina is a book that combines the most important research findings about the human brain with advice that can help you make the most out of it. It is written for the layman, it is easy to read and is full of insights.

Rule 1: Exercise Boosts Brain Power

Jack La Lanne was born in 1914. “Jumping Jacks” are named after him, and he invented the first cable-fastened pulleys, and first leg-machines, and even the first weight selectors – all necessities of the modern gym.

Rule 2: The Human Brain Evolved, Too

Nature selected for those who learned from their mistakes, not necessarily those who had the sharpest fangs.

Rule 3: Every Brain is Wired Differently

Your brain is like a muscle, each activity you do makes it larger and more complex. This may not lead to more intelligence, but what is undeniable is that what you do in life physically changes what your brain looks like.

Rule 4: People Don’t Pay Attention to Boring Things

We know that attention creates interest, but can interest create attention? Marketers think so. They use novel stimuli to harness attention in the service of interest.

Rule 5: Repeat to Remember

The brain has several types of memory systems. One type follows four stages of processing: encoding, storing, retrieving, and forgetting.

Rule 6: Remember to Repeat

Ebbinghaus showed us the power of repetition 100 years ago. The loss of memory that occurs one to two hours after learning something can be lessened by deliberate repetitions.

Rule 7: Sleep Well, Think Well

In 1965, a 17-year-old Randy Gardner decided not to sleep for 11 straight days and observe what happened for his science fair project.

Rule 8: Stressed Brains Don’t Learn the Same Way

A German shepherd was receiving painful electric shocks. The dog can easily get out since the other side of the box he was in was insulated from shocks – a low barrier separates the two sides.

Rule 9: Stimulate more of the Senses

Our senses have evolved to work together. Our vision influences hearing, for example – this suggests that we learn best if we stimulate several senses at the same time.

Rule 10: Vision Trumps all Other Senses

When you read, you perceive parts of the text that aren’t there. You are hallucinating.

Rule 11: Male and Female Brains are Different

There are three types of gender differences: genetic, neuroanatomical and behavioral.

Rule 12: We are Powerful

Babies are born with a deep desire to explore the world around them. It is a drive in the same way that hunger, thirst, and sex are drives. T

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Related posts:

1. Rule 2: The Human Brain Evolved, Too (Brain Rules)
2. Rule 5: Repeat to Remember (Brain Rules)
3. Rule 9: Stimulate more of the Senses (Brain Rules)
4. Rule 8: Stressed Brains Don’t Learn the Same Way (Brain Rules)