Lesson 5 : The Powers of the Mind

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, it is expected that the learners
must be able to:
1) discuss that understanding the different parts of the
brain, processes and functions may help in improving
thoughts, behavior, and feelings;
2) explore ways on how to improve brain functions for
personal development; and
3) develop a personal plan to enhance brain functions.
As you were thinking of
solutions or answer to the
questions, what was going
on inside you? What organ
was working?
BRAINPOWER
Big Question: How do we develop the powers of our
mind?

THE POWER TO ACT

3 MAJOR PARTS OF THE BRAIN
NEURONS basic functional units of the nervous
system, are three-part units and are key to brain
function. They power the rapid-fire process that
turns thought into movement. The thought moves
as an electrical signal down the axons to the
dendrite and then jumps to another nerve cell
across a space with the help of some chemicals. It
means that Neurons are information messengers.
They use electrical impulses and chemical signals
to transmit information between different areas of
the brain, and between the brain and the rest of
the nervous system.
What are the four lobes of
the cerebrum and their
functions?
Each side of your brain contains four lobes.
The frontal lobe is important for cognitive functions and control of voluntary
movement or activity.
The parietal lobe processes information about temperature, taste, touch and
movement, while the occipital lobe is primarily responsible for vision.
The temporal lobe is involved in primary auditory perception, such as hearing, and
holds the primary auditory cortex. The primary auditory cortex
receives sensory information from the ears and secondary areas process the
information into meaningful units such as speech and words.
Broca And Wernicke Areas Of The Brain
Wernicke's area is the region of the brain that is important for language development.
It is located in the temporal lobe on the left side of the brain and is responsible for the
comprehension of speech, while Broca's area, or the Broca area is a region in
the frontal lobe of the dominant hemisphere, usually the left, of the brain with
functions linked to speech production.
There is a consensus among researchers
that brain cells regenerate through out
life. “The size of the brain doesn’t
increase much after 3” It is during the first
three years of life, the brain experiences
most of its growth and develops most of
its potential in learning.
1. The brain parts are adaptable.
2. Deprivation of intellectual stimulation
occurs dramatically before age 3.
INHALANTS Such as glue, paint, gasoline and aerosols, destroys the
outer lining of nerve cells and make them unable to communicate with
each other.
• Marijuana hinders memory, learning, judgment and reaction times.
• Ecstasy destroys neurons that makes serotonin - a chemical crucial in
controlling sleep, violence, mood swings and sexual urges.
• Steroids cause aggressions and violent mood swings.
“There’s a lot we won’t know until later. Classic example is cigarettes.
We allowed people to smoke for 100 yrs. before we knew about all the
horrible things that nicotine will do”
THE LATERALIZATION OF THE BRAIN THE LEFT
AND RIGHT BRAIN THEORY

Robert Ornstein Roger Sperry.

The theory of brain lateralization was developed by
Nobel-prize winners Robert Ornstein and Roger Sperry.

It states that each side of the brain has different specific

functions. While humans use both sides, each one has a
dominant side which, according to the theory, explains
much about his or her behaviour, interests, personality,
and mode of thinking. This led to the coined terms left-
brained or right- brained individuals
Brain Lateralization
is a complex and ongoing process by which differing
regions of the brain “take-over” the functioning of specific
behaviors and cognitive skills. Lateralization literally
means that certain functions are located (in par or total)
on one side of the brain.
Left Brain
Right-hand control
Right Brain
Left-hand Control
• Analytical thought
• Detail oriented • Intuitive thought
perception • Holistic Perception
• Ordered Sequencing • Random Sequencing
• Rational thought • Emotional Thought
• Verbal • Non-Verbal
• Cautious • Adventurous
• Planning • Impulse
• Math/Science • Creative Writing/Art
• Logic • Imagination
• Right Field Vision • Left Field Version
• Right Side Motor Skills
• Left Side Motor Skills
!
It is during the first
three years of life,
the brain
experiences most of
its growth and
develops most of its
potential in learning.
Inhalants Such as glue, paint, gasoline and
aerosols, destroys the outer lining of nerve cells
and make them unable to communicate with each
other.
Marijuana hinders memory, learning, judgment
and reaction times.
Ecstasy destroys neurons that makes serotonin - a
chemical crucial in controlling sleep, violence,
mood swings and sexual urges.
Steroids cause aggressions and violent mood
swings.
THE THEORY’S ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
PRO : LEARNING CON: STEREOTYPING
New Research Suggests the Brain is More like a Muscle
Practice is the Key! From
the very first day you are
born, you can hear everyone
talk and you make sense of
these strange sounds and
figure out what they mean.
As young as you are, you’re
exercising your brain and
learn how to talk goo- goo to
real words. The brain has
changed – it has actually
gotten smarter.
“Don’t be dumb, you’re smart!”
No one thinks babies are stupid
because they can’t talk. They just
haven’t learned how to yet. Some
people will call a person dumb if
they can’t solve problems or spell
a word right, or read fast – even
though all these things are
learned with practice. You can
learn something difficult until you
find one topic easier because
your brain muscles gotten
stronger!
What Can You Do to Get Smarter?
The Key to Growing the Brain: Practice!