Emily Denise Jo Sheridan

Make Learning Brain Friendly

How does memory serve our survival?

ADHD and Paying Attention

Studying in a Brain Friendly Way

What makes these methods brain friendly?

These methods are all designed to support and accommodate for natural memory processes in the brain by drawing from various principles and theories of memory and from our knowledge of how memory works in the brain.

Encoding variability is the principle that the more ways you "encode" a piece of information into your memory, the more likely you'll remember it. This is because our memory is cued by things in our environment, so if we can establish as many cues as possible through multiple sensory channels, we are more likely to encounter something to cue the memory. Hence, "the more inputs, the better!"

Transfer appropriate processing refers to when the way that you encoded information matches how you are asked to recall information, resulting in better performance. This means that if you use flashcards to practice recalling the definition of vocab, and you are tested on the list of vocab by having to write the definition, you're more likely to perform better than someone who practiced by simply reading the vocab terms and their definitions. This supports the "Practice Application" tip.

The levels of processing theory states that when we process information on a "deeper" level, we're more likely to remember it. This means that when you take the time to connect new material to past knowledge, and consider it's meaning, it can help you recall it later. This supports the "Paraphrase Notes" tip, as when you paraphrase, you're forced to think about how else you can state the information.

How does memory serve our survival?

What is the myth?

There was the belief for a long time that if information or an experience was important to our survival, we would "record it" with greater accuracy. The myth focuses primarily on the idea that when we experience a threat, we will have more accurate and detailed memories of the experience.

What's the truth?

The reality is very different. In most senses, it's actually quite the opposite. Firstly, it's important to note that memories of any kind can distorted by a variety of factors, both in the moment and retroactively. Secondly, when we experience a high-stress situation, our brain focuses primarily on what we perceive to be a direct threat and we tend to lose sight of peripheral details, which causes vivid, but tunnel-vision-like, memories.

How does this impact our memory?

Perceptual narrowing is a result of the high running stress and emotions which occur in a threatening situation. The amygdala, a part of the brain that is involved in emotions, is highly active during these stressful events. The amygdala has also been found to contribute to the consolidation of emotional memories, leading to better memory of emotional events. So, when we experience an emotionally charged threat event, we experience perceptual narrowing, focusing on the immediate threat, and then the consolidation of these narrow-focus memories is aided by the amygdala. While we won't have highly accurate memory of all the details of a threat event, we are more likely to remember specific details regarding the immediate threat (e.g., a weapon).

Why is it important to know this?

This myth has caused a lot of harm, primarily in the case of eyewitness testimony. If we believe that eyewitness memory is exceptionally accurate due to the first-hand experience of a crime, more weight is placed on eyewitness testimony for conviction. In reality, eyewitness memory is equally susceptible to distortions as any other kind of memory.

The Reality of Paying Attention with ADHD

What's the myth?

It's an unfortunately common belief that people with ADHD are unable to focus for long periods of time in any capacity.

What's the reality?

The truth is that it is possible for people with ADHD to concentrate for extended intervals. The reason this myth is so prevalent is due to the difficulty that people with ADHD have with concentrating. Though it is possible for people with ADHD to focus, it can be very challenging.

What causes this difficulty?

Inattention in ADHD is primarily caused by issues with functional connectivity between the brain's Default Mode Network and it's functional networks. The Default Mode Network describes the specific areas of the brain which are active when you are at rest (not focusing or performing a task), and the functional networks are the areas of the brain that activate when you are cued to focus or perform a task. When we are asked to do a task, our brain will switch from our DMN to a functional network. In ADHD brains, however, this transition doesn't always occur smoothly, if at all. Sometimes, when an ADHD brain is cued to do a task, the functional network activates, but the DMN does not deactivate. This leads to the inability to effectively filter out extraneous stimuli, leading to distractibility.

Why is the truth important to know?

The perpetuation of this myth is harmful in many ways. It creates bias against people with ADHD and can lead to the internalization of the idea that concentrating is impossible as a person with ADHD. This idea can create "self-fulfilling prophecies" within academic environments. If a teacher believes that it's impossible for a student with ADHD to pay attention, they may treat them accordingly, which can result in decreased motivation and poorer academic performance the part of the student.

Denise

Denise is a third-year transfer student at Pacific University. Majoring in psychology she plans on earning a bachelor's in psychology as well as pursue a graduate degree. Originally from Anderson, CA, she plans on promoting healing through art.

Emily

Emily is a second-year student at Pacific University. She is majoring in Psychology and Spanish while playing for the women's basketball team at Pacific. She lives on campus, but is originally from Sammamish, WA.

Sheridan

Sheridan is a Junior at Pacific University. She is majoring in psychology and minoring in disability studies, as well as a member of Psy Chi. She is involved in other clubs such as ASL club, Pamilya Ko!, APASU, and Greek Life.

Jo is a second year student at Pacific University. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology and plans to earn a professional degree in psychology in the future. She currently lives in Oregon with her family and their incredibly fluffy dog.

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