Book Review: Brain Rules

I'm a sucker for books about thinking.

A Whole New Mind, A-ha, Six Thinking Hats, How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci, Thinkertoys, and The Mind Map Book are just a few of my favorites from the past few years.

So, of course I wanted Brain Rules.

Title: Brain Rules
Author: John Medina
Genre: Psychology, Business, Cognitive Science

Summary: According to Brain Rules, the the human brain is "designed to solve problems related to surviving in an unstable outdoor environment, and to do so in nearly constant motion."

Medina covers 12 Rules related to this proposition.

Favorite Quote: I'll summarize the 12 rules, along with my key learning from each point.

Rule #1: Exercise

Exercising boosts brain power. Data shows that the mind works better when the body is active.

The irony, of course, is that anyone who is going to school (as I am now) needs brain power, but has no time to be active.

But, Medina actually proposes that we should be active at work and school.
Hey, that I can live with!
I already do an occasional 'walking' one-on-one meeting, but now that I've got science to support me, I might do all my meetings out of doors (if you think I'm joking, you don't know me...).

Rule #2: Survival
Introduces a concept I've never heard of before called 'Theory of Mind'.

If I'm understanding it correctly, it's our ability to understand others (even animals and objects, like cars) in terms of their motivations. Only humans can do it.
You might call it empathy.

Rule #3: Wiring
"Every brain is wired differently". That one didn't surprise me.
One size training doesn't fit all? Yep... I kinda knew that.

Rule #4: Attention
We don't pay attention to boring things.

"The brain processes meaning before detail". Giving the overview provides brain candy. Sometimes, I may withhold too much in an effort (unfortunately successful) to create suspense. I say 'unfortunately successful' because that means that the brain isn't working, because...

"The brain cannot multitask". Whether it's with cell phones and cars, or with overviews and details, the brain can't track one thing while working on another.

"10 minute learnings". Medina designs learning modules in 10 minute segments, with a 'bang' (story, image, humor) at the start of end of each one, to hook the audience.

Rule #5: Short-Term Memory

Medina makes two points I find very interesting.

• "The more elaborately we encode information at the moment of learning, the stronger the memory". This is moderately counter-intuitive to those of us who believe 'simple is better'. It explains why all those memory systems that tell you to remember a guy named Bruce by tying his name to your love of Bruce Springsteen songs actually work. If we can design exercises that create a tapestry out of the information people want to remember, we can help 'lock' in those memories.
• 'Retrieval may best be improved by replicating the conditions surrounding the initial encoding'. This means learn it where you're going to use it. It's one of the reasons why classroom learning doesn't stick. And why 'on-the-job' training is successful.

Rule # 6: Long-Term Memory
Elaborative Rehearsal - "Deliberately re-expose yourself to the information more elaborately, and in fixed, spaced intervals, if you want the retrieval to be the most vivid it can be."

For years, people have commented on my memory. "You're a sponge" is something I often hear. It's not always meant as a compliment. I can remember whole episodes of Bugs Bunny or Monty Python skits - but I often can't remember someones name.

Brain Rules suggests that my genetic need to tell stories (and tell them often might) explain my detailed memories. When I watch a movie, I immediately want to discuss it with Angie. Then, at work, I explain it in detail to anyone who'll listen. And again. As a result, I can remember details about almost every movie I've ever seen.

Same goes for places I visit. I photograph them. I sort the photographs. I post the photographs, often writing about them on my website. I share them with friends and describe the context with vivid stories. And it's committed to memory.

Same with books I read, ideas I have, etc...
If I don't talk about it, it literally ceases to exist.
I thought that was only true for me, but it seems to be a common thing.

Rule #7: Sleep
Sleep is important. The problem is, we don't actually have any rules.

We don't know how much is enough, or how much is too much, or if naps are necessary, or just about anything else.

It looks like some people are 'owls' and some people are 'larks'. Check your preference here.

It also appears that humans use sleep as a retention device. The brain doesn't actually 'sleep'. It replays patterns from the day. If it's interuppted, it won't retain them.

So, try having deep thought right before sleep. You might have the answer in the morning.

Rule # 8: Stress
A cool three-part definition of stress

1. There is an aroused physiological response.
2. The stressor must be aversive (you would choose to avoid it)
3. You must not feel in control of the stressor

Rule #9: Sensory Integration
Involving more senses = more memory.
For example, sounds help the brain process better.

Rule #10: Vision
Since 50% of the brain is dedicated to processing visual information, we learn and remember better through visuals.

Rule #11: Gender
Men and women often learn better when separated. They learn differently, and women are more cooperative than competitive.

Rule #12: Exploration
Successful learning should follow the medical school model:

1. Consistent exposure to the real world.
2. Consistent exposure to people who work in the real world.
3. Consistent exposure to practical research.

Strengths: Entertaining, educational, and research-based. An ideal learning book.

Weaknesses: None for me.

Conclusion: You and your grey matter should hurry on over to a bookstore and buy a copy. I bought an extra for my office.

Post-it Flags: 16 flags

* Each time I find an interesting quote, model, image, or idea in a book, I mark it with a Post-it flag. The more flags, the more value I found in the book.