Exploring Neuroscience Through Art: January 2013

Monday, January 21, 2013

What makes someone a leader? #inauguration

Today, two leaders are being recognized: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Barack Obama.

There are a number of factors within ones mind that makes them a leader instead of a follower. One of those is the Limbic System (in green in the drawing). It is something within all of us that stores our memory. Recalling relevant experiences is very important for a leader so they can then make a preferred course of action based on prior learnings. That decision making process happens in the Pre/Neo Frontal Cortex (the orange region in the drawing).

Another important characteristic within a leader is the concern for others. Our Limbic System is also our emotional control center. It's not only families or loved ones that a leader is concerned about. It is also their constituents or key stakeholders. Decisions they make are meant to be in the best interests of those they work with.

These areas of the brain are more dense and active with learned knowledge.

What are some leaders that you look up to? Do you consider yourself a leader or a follower?

Regards,

Michelle Hunter

Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

It is #Wikipedia Day!!! Our online hippocampus.

Need I say more! What a great tool Wikipedia is. On this day in 2001, the site went public. An insane amount of information is on there that is always evolving to include new stories and significant events.

For the occasion, I've done a quick brain drawing. The Wikipedia icon we are familiar with is placed where the hippocampus part of our brain lives. What is the hippocampus? It is a key part of our memory functioning. When we are learning something, which is what we set out to do when accessing such resource sites like Wikipedia, the hippocampus is busy storing the information that comes in.

How do you use Wikipedia? I use it sometimes for quick research on parts of the brain. Usually I'll cross reference the information with books and other resources I have on the brain. The Wikipedia tool certainly points you in the right direction for further research.

Happy birthday Wikipedia!!

Regards,

Michelle Hunter

Thursday, January 10, 2013

What does this look like to you?

OK it may be a bit unfair to ask this as I've only just started this painting, but what object does it look like? Think classroom.....

Regards,

Michelle Hunter

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year! Here's a drawing to mark new year decision making

I hope that this new year brings you 365 days of love, prosperity and health!
With the start of a new year brings thoughts of resolutions and reflections. It then leads right into deciding what will be different this year; what will be the changes that need to be made to make this year better than the next.

There are a couple parts of our brain that handle these decision making processes as illustrated in this drawing below.

Premotor Cortex (yellow): For simple decision making about physical actions that should be taken, this area of our brain is involved. If adjustments need to be made, those corrections are planned out here. So for example you wanted you work out more. Think about what condition your body is currently in and what movements you would be able to do.

Lateral Prefrontal Cortex (blue): In this area of the brain, past and present circumstances are evaluated. Did you attempt wanting to workout before? How did that go? What was learned? What could have been different and how does your current situation impact your ability to workout? Or did you do a particular exercise before that was too uncomfortable?

Frontal Lobe (red): The frontal lobe comes into the fold to combine all the information gathered so far to come up with your plan. Sticking with the workout example, you are in good shape to work out more often, there is a gym nearby but you didn't go too often last year or just stopped going altogether after a period of time. To help encourage you to go on a regular basis, you can recruit a gym buddy. You learned of that idea from a magazine article you read. Next step is asking your friends who would be up for meeting regularly to hit the gym. Go together to purchase your gym memberships, gym clothes, and plan on when the first workout date will be.

Good luck!

Regards,

Michelle Hunter