After reading the book, “Brain Rules by John Medina, I discovered that it connects with my interest in behavioral research. I found myself reading the book repeatedly. The reasons that made the book even more appealing to me is the fact that the more I read the book and sat down to write review about it, I found myself writing on how to apply the information I gathered from the book in my own life as well as assist other people with these information. The author has broken down complex neuroscience into easily understandable rules on how the human brain functions. In this paper, I will give my opinion concerning the main idea of this book, which calls for action on the things that people ignore about the rules of the brain. I will provide my opinion on the twelve rules that are provided in the book.
Rule #1: Exercise
According to the author, rest, sleep and exercise enables the brain to function optimally. After reading the book, I realized that according to the author, the brain and the human body are not separate systems that require physical exercise in order to function properly. Just as I stated in my opening paragraph, I have learnt I need to exercise, rest and sleep in order to boost the power of my brain.
Rule #2: Survival
According to this book, the human brain also evolved. Even though this chapter has more theory than practice, it explains the reasons why the human brain is different from the brains of primates. The most convincing part in this chapter is the fact that the author used a research that was conducted by Deloache of Dual Representation Theory.
Rule #3: Wired differently
In behavioral research, human beings behave differently according to different environments. According to the author of this book, he teaches the audience that the brain learns differently in different environments and cites examples from the differences in Concert violinists from the northern and southern hemisphere (Medina, 2011). After reading from the book that neurons growth is usually consistent with the intensity of real world learning, which intern reflects on the functioning of the brain, I have learnt how the behavioral differences are related to environmental setting.
Rule #4: Attention
Rule #5: Short-term memory
John Medina continues to use even more scientific research through citing Prussian researcher Ebbinghaus Hermann of the 19th century. In this rule, the author indicated that the brain has a declarative memory, which is controlled by the hippocampus that over time passes information from short-term memory to the long-term memory (Medina, 2011). Just like any other researcher or interested individual, I have found this information relevant in finding out the reasons that make people forget simple things.
Rule #6: Long-term memory
Rule #7: Sleep
According to this rule, there are always conflicting forces in the human brain referred to as the process C and process S. While the latter compels people to sleep, the former always ensures people wake up from their sleeps. Before reading this rule, I had always known that people have different sleeping habits, however, after reading about “larks” and “owls”, I found out the explanation why different people behave such differently and how these differences are associated to the brain.
Rule #8: Stress
The book clarifies that the brain is made in a way that it can handle stress, but not for longer periods since the hormones such as adrenaline, which are associated with stress can cause havoc on the system if they are released frequently. Therefore, according to him, stressed brains always reduce their functionality as they continue to retain the stress, which impairs the ability to think and make decisions.
Rule #9: Sensory integration
This rule helps me understand that even though more information might lead to sensory overload; it also helps in developing the brain. The more the brain is given more information about a phenomenon, the more the chances that the brain will understand.
Rule #10: Vision
I have learnt that sight is not just one type of perception. It has the power to frame the rest of our perception. The other rules that I have learnt from this book that have been instrumental in my academic and research development include gender and exploration. The most interesting thing about this book is the fact that the author uses established research to support his ideas.
Reference:
Medina J. (2011). Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School (Large Print 16pt). Sydney: ReadHowYouWant Publishers
