Minds that Win

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Minds that Win

• The Science and Art of Success
• c. 2005 Deborah Wasserman, Ph.D.

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Successful People need what animals have
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Animals know how to use their muscles
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They know how to be still and balance
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Some know where they are in relation to others
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Successful people also need
to plan, think, remember and control their
emotions.
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Which of these animals plan, think, remember, or
control their emotions?
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What animals can do depends on whats in their
brains

• This is a human brain.

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Brains of other animals

• A fish
• A frog
• And a bird

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All backbone animals have a brain stem

• It controls heart rate and breathing

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All backbone animals have a cerebellum

• It controls balance, posture, and movement

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They all have a part that thinks, remembers,
makes choices and controls emotions

• The Cerebral Cortex is VERY well developed in
  humans
• less so in fish, frogs and birds.

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Deep in the thinking part they have an almond
shaped amygdala

• All animals with backbones have an amygdala

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The amygdala doesnt thinkit feels
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When theres danger, part of your amygdala causes
you to

• freeze
• fight
• or take flight

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The part that gets scared and mad turns on the
part of your brain that is like a lizard. You
need it to defend yourself.

• freeze
• fight
• or take flight

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Another part of your amygdala causes you to feel
good about winning
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It turns on when the fear part is resting

• You feel less worried, scared, or angry.

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The part that feels reward turns on the part of
your brain that is like a mammal (like a kitten
or a puppy).
You need it to play.
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. . . And cuddle and feel love
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When your fear part rests, your human (ARTIST)
part of your brain works better too.

• You feel like you are
• Free to make your own choices
• Smart and skilled
• Connected to friends

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Play with switching feelings in your amygdala

• Put your fingers on each side of your head,
  halfway between your eyes and your ears.
• About one inch inside your skull are your
  amygdalae. You have one on each side.

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• Imagine your nose in this garbage .

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• Now imagine smelling your favorite flower

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• Imagine a heavy weight attached to the back side
  of your amygdala.

• Now imagine a feather tickling the front side.

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When the FEAR part of your amygdala is working
too hard, your mammal brain stops

• Fight
• Flight
• Freeze

So does your human ARTIST brain.
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When the FEAR part of your amygdala is working
less . . .
All of your brain works together
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When the fear part of the amygdala shuts down
completely,
youre in the zone.

• You dont feel worried, scared, or angry.
• You feel completely
• Competent
• In charge
• Connected

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To be in the zone, successful people need to
exercise their bodies
They also need to exercise their brains.
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Art making is an exercise for shutting down the
fear part of the amygdala
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When you make the art you choose

• You feel less worried, scared, and angry.
• You feel more
• Competent
• In charge and
• Connected

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Art making is mind exercise for being in the
zone.
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Art making is mind exercise for winning.
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Winning bodies have winning minds
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Links to References

• The Amygdala Fun exploration and serious theory
• http//www.neilslade.com/
• Self-determination theory and basic psychological
  need satisfaction
• http//www.psych.rochester.edu/SDT/measures/needs.
  html
• Graphics in this presentation
• http//faculty.washington.edu/chudler/flash/comic.
  html
• http//health.howstuffworks.com/brain3.htm

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• Contact
• Deborah Wasserman, Ph.D.
• Columbus Childrens Research Institute
• Office of Clinical Science
• wassermd_at_ccri.net