Intelligence and Brain Plasticity What is intelligence? How do you know if someone is “smart”?

Is the person who can memorize the lyrics to all of their favorite songs smarter than the person who can fix the broken bike? Is a surgeon smarter than a Grammy-nominated singer? A racecar driver smarter than a mother of 4? An alligator rescue specialist smarter than a baker? Is the person who gets good grades on a math test smarter than the kid who can throw the ball the farthest in PE?

Many Types of Intelligence “An intelligence is the ability to solve problems, or to create products, that are valued within one or more cultural settings.” Howard Gardner, Frames of Mind (1983) Based on his study of many people from many different walks of life in everyday circumstances and professions, Gardner developed the theory of multiple intelligences.

Basics of Multiple Intelligences Intelligence is more than IQ, getting good grades, or being great at math. We are all born with a capacity for each intelligence. We all have a unique combination of these intelligences. These intelligences are located in different areas of the brain and usually work together, but can work independently too.

Our Brains Change Neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to change in response to experience.

Neuroplasticity means that everyone is able to become smarter in all intelligences. Every experience, choice, and action has a physical impact on your brain You can control how you think, feel and act by controlling what you focus on.

Changing How You Think Creates Physical Changes in your brain Neuroplasticity - Creating Stronger Neural Connections Actual Neurons developing:

Attention and Experience What you focus on is what your brain thinks is important. It changes in response to these important experiences. Deliberately focusing on something creates new pathways in the brain.

Like muscles, repetition and use creates strength in the brain’s ability to function. Use it or lose it – the brain continuously makes room for what is important –what you focus on– by pruning out things you don’t use. You can create new habits and prune old ones Animated model of Neuroplasticity:

Recap Your brain changes physically in response to experiences-physical, mental, emotional Young brains are capable of changing fast Use it or Lose it New habits are made stronger by repeated use Pruning – pathways become weaker through less use Practice makes permanent – whatever you do, your brain changes to get better at it. Focus and repetition are key to strong neural pathways

The Habit of Positivity TEDxBloomington - Shawn Achor - "The Happiness Advantage: Linking Positive Brains to Performance" :10 – 3:01 5:23 – 6:25 7:36- 8:30 9:15- 11:07 11:07 – end

Positive Psychology You have a choice – you decide what to focus on Example – Baby Unicorn! vs. Ouch! The lense you use to view the world shapes your reality Your outlook shapes your happiness – not the opposite.

Science of Happiness Only 10% of long term happiness is dependent on external world 90% of your happiness is dependent on your outlook

Happiness Leads to Success Happy = Success, not the opposite Happiness Advantage Brain positive in the present = Intelligence Creativity Energy Every single outcome improves Positive Brains are Better, faster, more accurate – than negative, neutral or stressed.

Rewire your Brain Create lasting, POSITIVE change 21 days in a row 3 gratitudes Journaling Exercise Relaxation exercises Random Acts of Kindness

Habits of Mind Passive Vs. Active Positive Change – happens when you make it important Change process is simple, but not easy Start small – impact is exponential How do you talk to yourself? Jessica’s daily affirmation

Pruning Out Dead Weight Negative self talk: WMDs – Worry, Misery, Doubt – weapons of mass destruction. Tossing out the WMD’s – Negative thought patterns.

Small Changes that Work Big Stop negative self-talk Toss words like “always, never,” – they are toxic! Focus on what is going right

Changing Focus Focus on what you want more of Its impossible to make mistakes 24/7! Notice the “little” everyday things that are going right Practice, practice, practice – 10,000 hour rule

Mind + Body Connection Your brain needs physical exercise Your brain needs sleep Your brain needs good nutrition + + =

Recap Many ways to be smart – everyone has all of them Brain changes in response to what you make important Positivity increases learning Negativity decreases abilities Brain and body are connected – exercise, sleep and nutrition are vital for the brain to work at its best Simple, not easy Have to have a plan

The Plan 1) Decide what it is you want 2) Break down big goals into small ones 3) Decide what you have to stop and start 4) Triggers – notice, record, be mindful ! 5) Plan a different thing to do that satisfies the same need 6) Need at LEAST 21 days 7) Process –compassion for yourself 8) Drop the negative self talk 9) Embrace the positive !

Recap of Multiple Intelligences

Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence – Word Smart Have: well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings and rhythms of words. Enjoy talking, writing, reading and listening-anything to do with words and communication. Conversation is key to enjoyment of time with others.

Mathematical-Logical Intelligence – Logic Smart Have: ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and ability to recognize logical or numerical patterns, solve problems. Enjoy puzzles, strategy games, working out solutions to problems, and having things in order. Notice patterns. Things making sense is very important to logical thinkers.

Musical Intelligence – Music Smart Have the ability to appreciate and produce music, including rhythm, melody, pitch and timber. Listening to, and creating, music and singing are essential to day to day life. May be seen humming, dancing, tapping fingers to a beat.

Visual-Spatial Intelligence – Picture Smart Have the ability to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and abstractly. Enjoy art, drawing, colors, visual textures and experiences Have a knack of understanding the space around them and how they fit into it. Good at direction, maps, and visualizing things in their heads. Building and creating things comes naturally.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence Body Smart Have the ability to control one's body movements and to handle objects skillfully. Enjoy athletics and movement, using their bodies to create and learn. Good at sports, dance, martial arts – all physical activity. Tend to fidget when required to sit for long periods of time. Learn best when movement is involved. Activity can be key to enjoyment in time with others.

Interpersonal Intelligence – People Smart Are “good with people.” Have the ability to notice and respond the right way to the moods, motivations and desires of others. Enjoy activities with others, enjoy being around large groups and meeting new people. Learn well with study partners or groups.

Intrapersonal Intelligence – Self Smart Are very self-aware and in tune with their own inner feelings, values, beliefs and thinking processes. Know how to take care of themselves, tend to like to work alone, can be very quiet, may seem shy. Learn best when they can connect the learning to their own experiences.

Naturalist Intelligence – Nature Smart Enjoy nature, the outdoors, plants, animals, and insects. Have the ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals and other objects in nature. May be concerned deeply about the environment. Learn well when in nature or topics directly are related to nature.

Existential Intelligence – Spiritually Smart Have sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, what happens when we do, and how did we get here. Science, philosophy, religion, and spirituality and are areas that many existentially intelligent people are drawn to.