Rejoins that core elements of the mind emerge out of interactions between individual and environment. States that different approaches can be used to model different levels or phases in the organization and development of the mind. Focuses on issues of interactivism, connectionism, computationalism, and experientialism as complementary tools for…

Our memories are not necessarily "bad," but stored in different areas. By understanding the five memory lanes (semantic, episodic, procedural, automatic, and emotional), a high school English teacher discovered why her students could not do fractions (to calculate grades) in English class. Paper-and-pencil tests can be redesigned to assess memory…

Introduces the construct of habits on a continuum from habit impoverishment to habit domination. Introduces the concepts of thresholds for action, modulation, and motivation to reestablish homeostasis and proposes a model for interpreting behavior. Explains patterns of responding in relation to adaptive and maladaptive behavior. (Contains 36…

Considers the potential importance of brain study for composition instruction, briefly describes functional imaging techniques, and reviews the findings of recent brain-mapping studies investigating the neurocognitive systems involved in language function. Presents a review of the recent literature and considers the possible implications of this…

Examines a subset of tools (atlases of the brain) developed in the Human Brain Project (HBP) in order to understand how the use of these tools changes the practice of science. Discusses the redefinition of what constitutes 'objective' neuroscientific knowledge according to both technological possibilities built into these tools and the constraints…

Reviews evidence of the way the maturation of the brain may structure the plasticity that is available for the construction of the mind. Presents evidence taken from non-invasive imaging techniques that makes use of electrode potentials, magnetic resonance, or positron emission. Discusses the development of the brain in terms of grey and white…

The question of innateness, which naturally arises in respect of the method of category construction proposed by vantage theory, is notoriously difficult. Discusses some of the problems inherent in this type of issue, along with attendant assumptions. Then, turns to what might constitute possible grounding for vantage theory. (Author/VWL)

Had adult students in South Africa complete the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument to determine their thinking preferences based on Hermann's four quadrant whole brain model. Found a diversity of thinking style preferences and non-preferences for the four quadrants. (EV)

Used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine spatial working memory in 8- to 11-year-olds tested under 3 conditions. Found that subtracting activation of the motor condition from the memory condition revealed activity in dorsal aspects of the prefrontal cortex and in the posterior parietal and anterior cingulate cortex. Analysis of…

Discusses theoretical and empirical aspects of the neural bases of the mental lexicon and the mental grammar in the first and second language (L1 and L2). Argues that in the first language, the learning, representation, and processing of lexicon and grammar depend on two well-studies brain memory systems. (Author/VWL)

Presents a new approach in the evaluation and management of concussions from the athletic trainer's perspective. This quantifiable assessment technique provides more information on which return-to-play decisions can be made based on the athlete's symptoms and performance on objective tests. It can be used during initial sideline examinations as…

Describes how veteran elementary teacher at international school in Saudi Arabia uses her knowledge of brain research to design instruction that will enhance student retention of new geographic concepts. (Contains 11 references.) (PKP)

Imitation is an important means by which infants learn new behaviours. When infants do not have the opportunity to immediately reproduce observed actions, they may form a memory representation of the event which can guide their behaviour when a similar situation is encountered again. Imitation procedures can, therefore, provide insight into infant…

The retrieval of temporal-order versus spatial-location information was investigated using fMRI. The primary finding in the hippocampus proper, seen in region of interest analyses, was an increase in BOLD signal intensity for temporal retrieval, and a decrease in signal intensity for spatial retrieval, relative to baseline. The negative BOLD…

This study investigates whether the right hemisphere has more flexible contrast gain control settings for the identification of spatial frequency. Right-handed participants identified 1 and 9 cycles per degree sinusoidal gratings presented either to the left visual field-right hemisphere (LVF-RH) or the right visual field-left hemisphere (RVF-LH).…