9
votes
Accepted
About the left and right side of the brain
Persons of each handedness use both hemispheres of the brain.
If you're asking specifically whether taking an action with your right hand preferentially activates motor control in the left hemisphere,...
- 106
9
votes
How valid is Lumosity's Brain Performance Index and what normative information is available?
Because it has been a few years since Jeromy's original answer, and because I just read a very apt article, I will venture an update on the state of the field with respect to the BPI's validity. ...
- 6,902
7
votes
Why is the sound of running water soothing?
There cannot be a single answer to this question which would be entirely correct. Different theoretical approaches to psychology will yield different explanations. This is evident from the other ...
6
votes
Is "brain training" effective?
What is the effect of completing "brain training"?
Is there any evidence for domain general benefits to cognitive functioning that extend beyond the specific task practiced?
Brain training at ...
- 61
6
votes
In the digit span test, why do some strategies work and others don't?
Chunking leverages long-term memory for the chunks, i.e. we recognize and remember much easier the familiar chunks, sometimes algorithmically. This is much easier explained in the domain of letters/...
- 9,895
5
votes
Accepted
Can Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), or a magnets cap make you smarter?
Short answer
A cap of magnets, or state-of-the-art TMS protocols, will not make you smarter.
Background
First off, TMS uses bursts of magnetic stimulation in the order of milliseconds (Rothkegel et ...
- 19.6k
4
votes
Why is the sound of running water soothing?
It may have something to do with the manner in which the water flows. Disturbed or moving water has a frequency content/distribution that approaches noise (think ocean waves lapping up against the the ...
- 41
4
votes
What is the optimal exercise regime for improving cognitive functioning?
Yes, there are several studies which found links between the amount of training and the effect of it on cognitive abilities. See the below for references and summaries of some of these:
Jaeggi, ...
- 1,073
4
votes
Can the brain be trained into a state of persistent happiness?
I'm not sure about the trained part, but there have been cases where people have spontaneously shifted into a very enjoyable state of mind for a very long time, for example: Eckhart Tolle, who ...
- 9,302
4
votes
Can the brain be trained into a state of persistent happiness?
This is a big question, but here are a few thoughts.
While we could argue about the details, concepts around set points and the hedonic treadmill have reasonable empirical support. The general ...
- 30.3k
4
votes
how to train our brain to always use left part for thinking & deciding things?
Unfortunately this question is based on a false premise. Thanks for asking. The oversimplified view on brain lateralisation is so stubbornly persistant and it invaded so many meditation guides, self ...
- 452
3
votes
"top-down" and "bottom-up" processes
Top-down knowledge is knowing what a target is. When detecting an object, the rate at which you can detect it (measured via reaction time, or 'RT') is partially dependent on how fast you can identify ...
- 3,662
3
votes
Classification of EEG Signals
BCI has rougly two different approaches to extract features. I will address them both.
When EEG is recorded, you can see an pattern of activity in a particular channel over time. This is the time-...
- 3,132
3
votes
Accepted
After how much time should we review a particular study material after once studying it thoroughly so as to retain it longer?
Memory is a complex phenomenon with a number of variables for which we don't have yet the whole picture, let alone specific recommendations, a lot of research is also disputed since we tend to be ...
- 577
3
votes
Can the brain be trained into a state of persistent happiness?
You could try meditation. Meditation practices have been shown to have an effect size similar or higher to antidepressants.
"During the course of 2to 6 months, the mindfulness meditation program ES ...
- 394
3
votes
Can the brain be trained into a state of persistent happiness?
I would say it is impossible.
Being unhappy is a necessary experience to make the feeling of happiness arise. Maybe there is some joyful state that can persist over time without unhappiness but I ...
- 27
3
votes
Is it possible to develop curiosity?
On a related note, I attempted an answer on the question: What causes a person to be curious, inquisitive and explorative?
Context
The younger generations (like mine) have developed in an over-...
- 443
3
votes
Body temperature increasing when trying to solve difficult problems
The "overheat" (flushing of the skin) you experience is a common-enough reaction to stress, part of the fight-or-flight response. It's not uncommon for people to experince it during exams; generally ...
- 9,895
3
votes
how to train our brain to always use left part for thinking & deciding things?
I think you are sadly asking for the impossible. Your primitive brain is in charge of decisions, because your survival in a dangerous situation still depends (as it did in early evolution) on your ...
- 61
3
votes
Accepted
how to train our brain to always use left part for thinking & deciding things?
Q: how to train our brain to always use left part for thinking & deciding things? How do I not take emotional decisions?
A: For the second question, you can train to take rational rather than ...
- 1,795
2
votes
Can intense multitasking improve fluid intelligence/working memory?
In my mind the dual-n-back (aka Jaeggi training) is still controversial. A meta-analysis by Jaeggi and co-authors (2015) found in favor of their original paper, but others have gone on record to ...
- 9,895
2
votes
Why is the sound of running water soothing?
I think the answer to this is on a question I did some time ago:
Why does being in a natural environment induce some kind of "peace" state while mecha/tech ones induce the opposite?
We feel ...
- 754
2
votes
Accepted
Can dreams be memorised?
I don't know how it is when it goes about hormones but for sure dreams can be remembered and this remembering of dreams can be improved.
One of the most popular methods is trying to think about ...
- 285
2
votes
Accepted
Best ways to improve memory
You can read book: Trick of the mind - Derren Brown. Derren Brown is a mentalist and in his book you have very powerfull methods to improve your memory based on natural mental processes.
The easiest ...
- 62
2
votes
Best ways to improve memory
Your best bet is to start looking on YouTube and the Internet for various memory methods used by card memorizers, magicians, and other stunt people. I have used them extensively, and they work. You ...
- 200
2
votes
Can the mind be trained to equanimously observe compulsive urges/cravings (without giving in / acting out)?
According to the article "Brief meditation training induces smoking reduction" one kind of mediation-training reduced smoking by 60% while a control group (relaxation training) showed no such effect.
...
- 199
2
votes
Why can't we do the things we know instantaneously?
Motor learning is a complex process (Wolpert & Flanagan, 2010). Oftentimes the process is broken up in elements (Weaver, 2015):
a cognitive phase;
an associative phase;
an autonomous phase.
The ...
- 19.6k
1
vote
Accepted
What is the rationale behind filler words?
What is the rationale behind those constructs from a neurolinguistic point of view?
A simple conversation engages multiple areas of the brain, there are temporal areas for recognizing, planning & ...
- 577
1
vote
How neural mechanisms lead to the creation of habits or destructive behaviours?
I will attempt to answer your question. However, I will not be able to provide a neurological explanation of the mechanisms of this pattern.
First off, apparently such a thing does exist. In ...
- 31
1
vote
mirror-writing using non-dominant hand easier with closed eyes
There has been some recorded research in this area from more than 150 years back (1858). The concept is called Bilateral transfer of learning.
Definition:
"Bilateral transfer is an aspect of the ...
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