Unlocking the Complexities of the Human Brain: Understanding Brain Function and Cognition

1. Braaaiiins… • Not just for dinner anymore. • Research reveals multiple functions of the human brain, outside of being tasty zombie treats.

2. Why study brain function and human cognition? • As information professionals, we can better provide service and guidance if we understand how people think, windows of opportunity, and how to provide for diverse patrons at diverse times in their lives. • Brain function/human cognition is one of many factors influencing how people acquire and process information. • We will examine just eight aspects of human cognition in this overview of the brain - this is a rich, evolving topic.

3. Early Childhood: Baby Einstein? • “Windows of Learning” concept at crucial brain development/pruning times. • Stimulation and hands-on, social activities shape the brain by encouraging growth in certain areas. • Negative experiences can affect brain growth in ways that are detrimental to later understanding. • Limit television, increase access to tactile objects, stories read with emotion, positive interaction surrounding books and reading. • The Case Against Baby Einstein

4. The Adolescent Brain: Yes, they actually have one. • Second surge of development at puberty recently discovered, mimicking the development of the yearly years. • Pruning of unused neurons and thickening of grey matter. “Use it or lose it” • More activities (physical) to stimulate the cerebellum, which improves overall brain function. • Time to increase exposure and give guidance to challenging material – librarians are uniquely poised to lead this charge! • The Adolescent Brain

5. Sex on the Brain • Biological differences DO exist - brains are “sexed” during early fetal development to prepare reproductive organs and hormonal needs. • Although studies in the past have been driven by cultural bias, recent studies have shown no statistical difference between men and women’s brain function. • Brains are, however, have high plasticity and can be shaped buy environment and experience, which cannot be underestimated in gender studies. • How do we avoid bias ourselves in the information sciences when choosing materials and offering assistance? • The difference between men and women's brains

6. Learning Preferences: All in your head? • The thinking in this camp is mixed between neuroscientists and educators. • What we do know is that the brain is complex – each brain is as unique as our fingerprints. • The goal of educators is to get people to use their “whole brain”, which science supports. • Whatever the origins of the differences in learning styles, they do exist. • Alternate view? Learning Styles Don't Exist

7. Creativity: Brains and Beauty • There are many myths surrounding how creativity is generated in the brain. • The findings show that the brain registers activity in several locations of the brain when engaged in creative pursuit – and the areas are highly individualized. • Forget old assertions about “right brained” or certain types of focus or consciousness needed to foster creativity. • Use a variety of methods for tapping into the creativity and interest of our patrons.

8. Hemispheres: How the other half lives. • There are researchers who believe that people are dominant in one hemisphere of their brain. • People who are “right brained” are thought to be more insightful, creative and language driven. • People who are “left brained” are thought to be more analytical, logic and fact based. • Research has shown that diseases, such as schizophrenia, can show marked changes to just one hemisphere of the brain.

9. Disabilities affecting cognition • Research has shown people with mental disabilities to have needs and interests as varied as the general population • The “invisible” patron • Training on library use can be retained and improve strategies used by people with disabilities. • Staff training is paramount; librarians can learn much to apply to ALL patrons when learning to “cross borders”

10. Memory: Grey Matters • Memory is a firing of a distinct neural pattern, in disparate parts of the brain – sight, smell, sound, taste, etc can trigger the pattern. • Research has shown proof of this reactivation sequence through imaging. • The hippocampus seems to be the epicenter for stored memories. • Using prescribed and predictable search patterns can increase recall for patrons. • Memory and the Brain

11. Bibliography • Agada, J., Dauenheimer. (2001) Beyond ADA: Crossing Borders to Understand the Psychosocial Needs of Students with Disabilities. Presented at ACRL 10th National Conference, March 15-18. • Case, D. O. (2008). Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs and Behavior (2nd ed.). Bingley, WA, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. • Dietrich, A. (2007). Science Direct. Who's afraid of a cognitive neuroscience of creativity? pp. 22-27. • Graham, J. (2008, August). Brain Development, Bulletin #4356. Family Issues Facts . Orono, Maine: The University of Maine Cooperative Extension. • Inside the Teenage Brain: Frontline Interview with Jay Giedd. (2002). Retrieved March 15, 2009, from pbs.org: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/interviews/giedd.html • Interlandi, J. (2008, September 22). Mysteries of Memory; new research explores how the brain records and then recalls events. Newsweek . • Norlin, D. (1990). Bibliographic Instruction for Adults with mental Retardations. Retrieved from ERIC WebPortal. • Romney, D. M. (2000). Hemispheric Processing Deficits in Patients With Paranoid Schizophrenia. Journal of Genetic Psychology , 99-114. • Teenage Brain: A work in progress. (2001). Retrieved March 15, 2009, from National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teenage-brain-a-work-in-progress-fact-sheet/index.shtml • Thomas, N. P. (2004). Information Literacy and Information Skills Instruction. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, Inc. • Vidal, C., & Pia, D. (2005). Brain, Sex and Ideology. Diogenes (International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies) , 127-133.

12. YouTube Clips • Early Childhood Brain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtJs1jufYZQ • Adolescent Brain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPMP68QP698 • Gender and the Brain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoCPDvQBG5Y&feature=related • Teaching and Learning Styles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIv9rz2NTUk • Memory and the Brain http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=83D83C39D4A0AA0B&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&v=grZuwo_YlY0