![]() Goleman believes that social pain is hardwired into the brain in a way that physical pain is not, hence we can re-live it over and over in our minds (Goleman, 2013). ![]() ![]() Single photon emission computed tomography ( SPECT) brain imaging studies have shown that negative thoughts also reduce activity in the cerebellum, which controls coordination, balance, working relationships with others as well as speed of thought ( Marien, 2015). “Stress can alter plasticity in the nervous system, particularly in the limbic system” (Sapolsky, 2003). When stressed or scared, it’s difficult to take in and process new material, yet alone think creatively. With these negative thoughts, the brain can’t perform at high or even normal capacity. The brain actually draws precious metabolic energy away from the prefrontal cortex. Since it allows you to focus, it also gives you time for metacognition (being aware of one’s own thought processes).Īs our discussion continued with the students, we talked about what happens when they’re anxious, under stress or angry. It allows you to control your emotions through your deep limbic brain. The prefrontal cortex is the switching station that regulates the signals from the neurons as well as allows you to reflect and think about what you are doing at the time. The prefrontal cortex is where all mind/brain functions conjugate and then are disbursed to various parts of the brain or transmitted to other parts of the body. Taking a look at the prefrontal cortex, when happy thoughts occur, there is brain growth through the reinforcement and generation of new synapses. And I asked the students, “Isn’t this exactly what we want when working collaboratively with fellow classmates?” ![]() Positive emotions actually widen our span of attention and it also changes our perception and focus on more of the “we” instead of the “me” (Goleman, 2013. Dopamine is also a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward system and pleasure center.ĭaniel Goleman author of “Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence” states that the brain has heightened prefrontal activity and positivity resulting in enhanced mental functions such as creative thinking, cognitive flexibility, and even faster processing. When serotonin levels are normal, one feels happy, calmer, less anxious, more focused and more emotionally stable (Scaccia, 2017). When positive thoughts are generated, when you’re feeling happy, or optimistic, cortisol decreases and the brain produces serotonin, creating a feeling of well-being. What is going on in the brain when one produces positive or negative thoughts?Įvery thought releases some type of chemical. What they didn’t realize was how positive and negative thoughts affect this growth and development of these miraculous neurons and their synaptic junctions. As their brains connected new information to their prior knowledge, more and more synapses are formed within the human brain. They understood that neurotransmitters were passed from one neuron to another and recognized the importance of the synapse. These students already had the basic understanding of how neurons process and store information and how they form neural networks when learning something new. While working with a group of fifth-graders the other day we had a wonderful discussion regarding neuroplasticity and how one could actually change the shape and development of his or her brain.
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