Friday, August 23, 2013

Think of the brain in terms of systems, not dichotomies


When considering large portions of the brain, we need to think about systems—not dichotomies. A system has inputs and outputs, and a set of constituent components that work together to produce appropriate outputs for particular inputs. 

A bicycle is a familiar system: The inputs are forces that push down on the pedals, slight movements of the rider’s body made in the act of balancing, and force that moves the handlebars. The components include the seat, the wheels, the handlebars, the pedals, the gears, the chain, and so forth. The outputs are the bike’s forward motion, keeping upright, and going in a specific direction, all at the same time. Crucially, the components are designed to work together to produce appropriate outputs for the system as a whole—for the entire bike. The handlebar is connected to the front wheel for steering, the seat is over the pedals to make it easy to push down, the gear chain connects to the rear wheel to cause it to propel the bike forward, and so on.

The same is true of the brain: It has different areas that do different things, and the result of the brain areas’ working together is to produce appropriate outputs (such as your avoiding an object) for particular inputs (such as specific sights and sounds). For instance, if you see a car roaring toward you, you jump out of the way.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Coming soon: Take the test

Do you typically think as a Mover? A Stimulator? A Perceiver or an Adaptor?

According to the Theory of Cognitive Modes, people typically tend to have one of these four dominant modes of thinking and behavior, based on their utilization of their top and bottom brain systems. And we have developed a quick, easy and fun app for online and mobile device that with answering 20 questions will automatically score you.

Check back soon for the launch of the app. Won't be long now...

Monday, August 5, 2013

Giveaways!

Stay tuned for details about two giveaway promotions we are planning with Simon & Schuster -- some will be signed copies, given away before the book reaches the shelves (and the ether...)

We should have details within a week or two. Who knows, they could turn out to be collectors' items!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Goodreads page is up

Top Brain, Bottom Brain: Surprising Insights into How You ThinkTop Brain, Bottom Brain: Surprising Insights into How You Think by Stephen Kosslyn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Kosslyn is one of the world’s great cognitive neuroscientists of the late 20th and early 21st century.”
– Steven Pinker, bestselling author of The Language Instinct.

"An exciting new way to think about our brains, and ourselves. Original, insightful, and a sweet read to boot."
-- Daniel Gilbert, author of the International bestseller Stumbling on Happiness.

"Kosslyn and Miller have written a lively, informative, and easily assimilated summary of several important principles of brain function for the general reader who does not have the time or background to follow the complexities of neuroscience research but would like a scaffolding on which to place the new facts that dominate each day's headlines."
-- Jerome Kagan, emeritus professor of psychology, Harvard University, and author of the critically acclaimed The Human Spark: The Science of Human Development.

“A bold new theory, with intriguing practical implications, formulated by one of America’s most original psychologists.”
-- Howard Gardner, co-author of The App Generation.


"Right brainers are intuitive, left brainers are analytical, and Kosslyn says it’s all hogwash; there’s no scientific proof. Director of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, he challenges the old orthodoxy by arguing that the brain operates according to patterns best described as Mover, Adaptor, Stimulator, and Perceiver. So which pattern fits your brain? Take Kosslyn’s test."
-- Library Journal, Prepub Alert, May 20, 2013.

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