What Peace-builders should maybe know about brain MY neurobiological approach to transcending trauma Cheryl Talley, Ph.D. Eastern Mennonite University June, 2006

Neuroscience is the study of… How information about what’s “out there” gets “in here” and then is acted upon

Neuroscience is the study of… How information about what’s “out there” (types of energy) gets “in here” (turned into a code brain understands) and then is acted upon (behavior)

Different Levels of Analyses Physics Biochemistry Anatomy & Physiology Psychology, Cognition & Behavior Philosophy

Different questions & methods Neuroscience Neuroscience Biopsychology Biopsychology Psychobiology Psychobiology Physiological Psychology Physiological Psychology Cognitive Neuroscience Cognitive Neuroscience Cognitive Psychology Cognitive Psychology Neuropsychology Neuropsychology

Types of Physical Energy Visible light range of Electromagnetic spectrum Visible light range of Electromagnetic spectrum Mechanical movement Mechanical movement Air & Fluid Air & Fluid On skin or viscera On skin or viscera Chemical Chemical Olfaction Olfaction Taste Taste

Route of physical energy Energy Stimulus of receptive mechanism Transduction Sensation Perception Cognition Behavior

Physical pain vs Emotional Pain Energy (force) Stimulus of receptive mechanism (sensory nerves) Transduction Sensation Perception Cognition Behavior Energy (memory) Stimulus of a receptive mechanism Transduction (not necessary after initial learning) Sensation Perception Cognition Behavior

Physical pain vs Emotional Pain Energy (force) Stimulus of receptive mechanism (sensory nerves) Transduction Sensation Perception Cognition Behavior Energy (memory) Stimulus of a receptive mechanism Transduction (not necessary after initial learning) Sensation Perception Cognition Behavior USUALLY REQUIRES ANOTHERDOES NOT REQUIRE ANOTHER

Physical pain vs Emotional Pain Energy (force) Stimulus of receptive mechanism (sensory nerves) Transduction Sensation Perception Cognition Behavior Energy (memory) Stimulus of a receptive mechanism Transduction (not necessary after initial learning) Sensation Perception Cognition Behavior USUALLY REQUIRES ANOTHER WILL EVENTUALLY HEAL DOES NOT REQUIRE ANOTHER WILL OR WILL NOT HEAL

Breaking Free Memorializing Aggression Choosing to Live

Memorializing Breaking Free* Aggression Breaking Free requires “a NEW thought” *Choosing to THINK differently in order to BEHAVE differently

The “OLD thoughts” are easy Reaction to trauma or aggression doesn’t require thinking, Why? Reaction to trauma or aggression doesn’t require thinking, Why? Neopallium (New Brain) Neopallium (New Brain) Palliopallium (Limbic System) Palliopallium (Limbic System) Archipallium (Lizard Brain) Archipallium (Lizard Brain) Function of Lizard Brain is protection Function of Lizard Brain is protection Includes structures necessary for fear, breathing, and smell Includes structures necessary for fear, breathing, and smell Feel emotion first then think Feel emotion first then think

Memorializing Breaking Free Aggression Breaking Free requires “a NEW thought” Choosing to Live Sourced by Lizard Brain Reactions Sourced by “Higher “ Brain Regions

Memorializing Breaking Free Aggression Breaking Free requires “a NEW thought” Choosing to Live Sourced by Lizard Brain Reactions Sourced by “Higher “ Brain Regions The NEW THOUGHT

Creating “New Thought” is not easy. New Thinking is recognizing Current thinking as not necessarily the “truth” New Thinking is recognizing Current thinking as not necessarily the “truth” Distinguish true vs. truth Distinguish true vs. truth New Thinking is “unlearning” habitual thoughts New Thinking is “unlearning” habitual thoughts Changing a simple behavioral habit requires at least 6 weeks (synaptic plasticity) Changing a simple behavioral habit requires at least 6 weeks (synaptic plasticity) New Thinking requires action not re-action. New Thinking requires action not re-action.

Recall: “OLD thoughts” are easy Archipallium (Lizard Brain) Archipallium (Lizard Brain) Function of Lizard Brain is protection Function of Lizard Brain is protection Includes structures necessary for fear, breathing, and smell Includes structures necessary for fear, breathing, and smell FEEL FIRST AND THEN THINK FEEL FIRST AND THEN THINK

Recall: “NEW thoughts” are not easy…they require action Neopallium (New Brain) Neopallium (New Brain) Generator of ideas Generator of ideas Calculations, abstract thought and symbols Calculations, abstract thought and symbols Sense of self Sense of self THINK FIRST AND THEN FEEL THINK FIRST AND THEN FEEL

“New Thought” actions Accepting loss Accepting loss Confronting Fears Confronting Fears Understanding root causes Understanding root causes Tolerance/Coexistence Tolerance/Coexistence Engaging Offender Engaging Offender Choosing to forgive Choosing to forgive Establishing justice Establishing justice ALL HIGHER BRAIN FUNCTIONS of the NEOCORTEX ALL HIGHER BRAIN FUNCTIONS of the NEOCORTEX including the Medial Pre-frontal Cortex including the Medial Pre-frontal Cortex

Ways to engage NEW brain Olfaction Olfaction Vision Vision Audition Audition Sensation Sensation Tasting Tasting USE ALL OF THE BRAIN TO HELP USE ALL OF THE BRAIN TO HELP

Ways to engage NEW brain Olfaction Olfaction Vision Vision Audition Audition Sensation Sensation Tasting Tasting Imagination Imagination Creative Arts Creative Arts Ritual Ritual Visualization Visualization Meditation Meditation Appreciative Interviewing Appreciative Interviewing Things I haven’t thought of. Things I haven’t thought of.

Ways to engage NEW brain Imagination Imagination Creative Arts Creative Arts Ritual Ritual Visualization Visualization Meditation Meditation Appreciative Interviewing Appreciative Interviewing PATIENCE & REPITITION (UNLEARNING IS HARDER THAN LEARNING) PATIENCE & REPITITION (UNLEARNING IS HARDER THAN LEARNING) COMMUNITY (EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING AID RELEARNING) COMMUNITY (EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING AID RELEARNING) NO 1 SIZE (EVERY BRAIN IS DIFFERENT SO LEARNING/UNLEARNING IS DIFFERENT) NO 1 SIZE (EVERY BRAIN IS DIFFERENT SO LEARNING/UNLEARNING IS DIFFERENT)

Conclusion Brain can change and this is learning. Brain can change and this is learning. Unlearning behavior is difficult Unlearning behavior is difficult Use the brain to change the brain Use the brain to change the brain *We didn’t even talk about Spirituality, Faith or the source of consciousness *We didn’t even talk about Spirituality, Faith or the source of consciousness *THAT IS ANOTHER PRESENTATION!!!!!!!! *THAT IS ANOTHER PRESENTATION!!!!!!!!