Category: Psychology and Motivation

PsychologyCode Series – Article 2 [ Originally Written on July 21, 2013 ]
Neuroplasticity: An Introduction

Over the next while I will be preparing a series of instalments on the subject of neuroplasticity. During this first instalment I will briefly explain neuroplasticity, mention previous thoughts on the subject, and provide a remarkable example from the late 60s; a device which can allow the blind to see.

The word Neuroplasticity refers to the brains incredible ability to change and mold. The first part of the word ‘neuro’ comes from the word neuron. Neurons are the ‘thinking’ cells which interconnect and make up your brain. The second part of the word ‘plasticity’ refers to the characteristic of plastic which allows it to be easily shaped, changed, and molded. Previously when scientists adopted a mechanical view of the world they also formed the belief that the brain must too function this way. From this further damaging beliefs were born, such as damaged brain cells could not be replaced. Due to this self-limiting belief many people simply lived accordingly under the impression that their brain will not regenerate. Some scientists, however, refused to believe this mechanical model, and designed experiments to explore the belief that the brain can change itself.

One such scientist by the name of Paul Bach-y-Rita designed an experiment to test these limits. If neuroplasticity was as powerful as he hypothesized, he believed that he could create a machine to remap sight through the sense of touch. As we discussed in the previous article, it is not the eyes which see (or perceive), the eyes simply gather information; it is the brain that sees. If we can get sight information into the brain another way then all the brain has to do is change itself to process those signals in the same way it would have done with vision. The scientist created a special chair in which the patient would sit capable of remapping the sense of sight. There was a camera connected to a square array of ‘electric stimulators’ on the chair. The visual signals were then transmitted in the form of tiny shocks along the patients back. If there was an object in the upper left part of the cameras visual field the upper left section of the patients back would be stimulated.

Remarkably the patients brain was able to rewire itself to such an extreme extent that during tests the blind patient was able to recognize symbols, words, and even people faces. Upon seeing someone they patient could even describe characteristics about them,
such as: ‘Oh, that’s Mary. She has glasses on and is wearing her hair down’.

I hope this give you a very brief introduction the realization that the brain not only can change and learn, but it is changing continually. With this, it is also very true that the brain is a muscle, and just like a muscle as you exercise it your performance will improve. In the following instalments we will go into greater depths, discuss some more eye-opening studies (including the accident and recovery of Phineas Gage), and I will provide resources that can be used to exercise and strengthen your brain.

More Information:
Paul Bach-y-Rita, Neuroplasticity, and Sensory Substitution

PsychologyCode Series – Article 1 [ Originally Written on July 11, 2013 ]
Self-Fulfilling Prophecies & Self-Limiting Beliefs

Self-fulfilling prophecies and self-limiting beliefs are two very powerful concepts in psychology. When properly understood they can allow you to better steer yourself towards your goals of the future.

Self-fulfilling prophecies stem from the fact that everything communicates. Even the most subtle body language, voice tone, eye gestures, and so forth are products of your inner thoughts. Often times our gut feelings, and hunches are produced through your brains ability to recognize and process these subtle forms of communication. Speaking of this ability, if you are interested in reading more on the subject of split-second impressions I recommend checking out the book entitled ‘blink’ by Malcolm Gladwell. In this book Malcolm offers a unique perspective into these impressions which he refers to as ‘thin-slicing’. Returning to the subject of self-fulfilling prophecies, this idea that ‘everything communicates’ is its fundamental core.

You see, it all starts with a simple idea or belief. That belief then causes you to change how you behave toward another. Next, the other person subtly notices those changes in your behaviour. This in turn leads them to act in accordance to what you initially believed – thus fulfilling the prophecy.

Here is an example:

1. Jane develops a belief that Joe doesn’t like her.
2. Jane behaves toward Joe as if that belief were true.
3. Joe notices this behaviour which causes Joe to feel like she doesn’t like him.
4. This feeling causes Joe to behave back the same way toward Jane.
5. Joe’s behavior then confirms Jane’s initial belief that he doesn’t like her.

Prophecy Fulfilled, and the initial belief straightened!

This also frequently occurs when we use labels to describe someone. In reality, behaviours are complex products which are usually rooted from many previous experiences. When these experiences gradually develop into a belief it can act as a sort of anchor between the person and the behaviour. For instance say someone observed someone doing as little as possible. They may oversimplify, and say ‘they are lazy’. Eventually that person may internalize this consistent feedback, and develop a self-limiting belief that that is who they are. Now allow yourself to combine this idea with the notion of the self-fulfilling prophecy. Suddenly, it is possible to see how the person who is called lazy all the time continues to behave in that same way.

When this happens, there is a solution; there is always a solution, and that solution is Awareness!

When someone becomes aware of a self-limiting belief, and continually seeks evidence to the contrary that false-belief fades away. Once that road-block is removed from the process they will naturally move forward again toward their future goals.

Here is a summarizing analogy:

A self-limiting belief is like a seed. The self-fulfilling prophecy is like the continuous process of development. By recognizing our limiting beliefs we can change them. Once we change them that same ongoing process will drive us forward toward any one of our goals.