Focused vs. Diffused Thinking Flashcards
Analogies, stories, and metaphors are…
Powerful delivery methods for memorizing learning.
What are Focused and Diffused thinking? What are their pros and cons and when should they each be used?
Focused thinking is the very narrow thinking around a specific problem. Pro is it’s good when you know how to proceed. Con is it narrows your thinking to pre-existing thought patterns. Used to push ahead in a known matter on a known problem.
Diffused thinking is background thinking on an issue, when a problem is not being focused on. Pro is that new thought patterns may emerge. Con is it’s not a direct focus on a problem and can be hard to control. Used to step away from a problem when stuck to develop new ways of thinking.
Dali and Edison did this to engage diffused thinking.
Held keys or ball bearings in their hand as they relaxed and drifted off to sleep in a chair. When they fell asleep it would clatter to the ground, awaking them with new ideas gathered from diffused thinking.
Why is it that the brain can take on complex tasks but they seem simple to the person doing then?
Most of the calculations and activity are hidden from consciousnesses; performed subconsciously - this indicates that there is much more depth to the brain than just what we perceive
How are Focused and Diffused thinking physically different in the brain?
Focused thinking uses areas in the brain called the “Default Mode Network” - like highways that thoughts travel on all the time.
Diffused thinking is a more coherent global pattern
How does the brain physically change with learning?
Synapses are regenerated in new ways with new connections. There is actual churn in synapses and dynamic connections are formed
The cause of procrastination
The brain feels actual pain (in the insular cortex) and tries to focus on a more pleasant task
Why is Math harder to learn than more hands-on subjects?
Because of the abstract nature of Math. This limits the ways the mind can grasp mathematics (or some other abstract concepts). It cannot be felt and practice is needed to build the necessary neural pathways.
Why practice? How?
Practice makes permanent by building familiar pathways that become the “default mode network”. Study intensely, then step away to allow diffused thinking to take over (go to the gym, etc). Come back and study some more. Try the Pomodoro method.
Long term memory
The storage warehouse of memory; distributed throughout the brain - an item must be visited multiple times to strengthen connections
Working memory
The playground of memory in the prefrontal cortex - what’s actively being worked on. It’s like a blackboard. Can only hold four pieces or “chunks” of information.
Pomodoro Technique
A method using a timer - work for 25 min - 5 min break, 25 min - 5 min break, etc.
Spaced Repetition
Repeating information that is desired to be learned over spaced periods of time (eg. short practice each day for several days instead of extended practice on one day only)
During Sleep
Brain cells shrink and fluid cleans out metabolic toxins
The brain practices the harder parts of new learnings
Pathways are built to be stronger than before
“Compresses” memories to put them into long term storage (keeps just the important stuff).
Does the brain ever develop new neurons after birth?
Only in the hippocampus and these are stimulated with an enriched environment or by exercise.
