ADVENTURES WITH THE BRAIN Midwest Risk Management Symposium 10/29/14 © Kris Henker Improve Decision making By Understanding the Brain

Two Different Brain Response Systems Effect of threat and the Social Brain Application to Adventure Programs The Adolescent Brain What We’ll Cover

Reflexive Response - Autopilot

Reflective Response - Intentional

Autopilot, Reflexive Intentional, Reflective

Reflective System

Reflexive system Amygdala

Reflexive System Basal Ganglia

Reflexive system Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (VMPFC)

Reflexive System Review

Reflective System

Reflective system

Decision making Self Control Working memory Problem solving Emotional regulation Goal setting Abstract thought Planning

Reflective system Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex (VLPFC )

Reflective system Dorsomedial Prefrontal Cortex (DMPFC )

Changing Systems Anterior Cingulate cortex

Response Systems Anterior Cingulate cortex

X-system/C-system Review  REFLEXIVE  Fast  Energy efficient  Automatic  Habitual responses  REFLECTIVE  Slow  Energy intensive  Controlled  Intentional responses

Problems with C-system

Prefrontal Cortex Focused Organized Responsible Distracted Disorganized Forgetful Dis-inhibited Introverts Extraverts

What Effects the PFC Fear or Threat Stress Over-work Being ‘on’ for too long Not enough glucose

Questions on X & C-Systems

Two different brain response systems Effects of threat and the Social Brain What We’ll Cover

Effects of Threat Brains organizing principle: 1. Minimize threat 2. Maximize reward

Effects of Threat Amygdala is key player

Effects of Threat This takes precedence over all other strands of thought

Doesn’t Take Much

Students heading toward cheese could solve around 50% more problems in a creativity test that followed.

Threat is Threat The brain registers physical threat in a similar way as it does emotional or social threat

Pain is Pain It also registers physical pain in a similar way to emotional or social pain

Social Brain

Social Brain/ Default Mode

Social Brian  Precedes conscious thought of social situations  Active in 2 day old babies

The Social Brain

Questions on the Social Brain

Two Different Brain Response Systems Effect of threat and the Social Brain Application to Adventure Programs What We’ll Cover

“What has been the most difficult part of leading past wilderness trip experiences for you? “

 67% of answers were about the social or interpersonal interactions in the group. Kids feeling alienated Difficult participants Motivation Trust Social/emotional skills Leadership Dealing with stress, in participants and in self What Effects the PFC

Reduce Social Threats  F airness  E xpectations  A utonomy  R elatedness  S elf-Concept © Kris Henker

Fairness

Expectations

Expectation of reward releases dopamine into the brain, not the reward itself

Autonomy

Relatedness

Self-Concept  The overall idea of who a person thinks he or she is

Questions

Emotional Regulation

Four positive emotional regulation strategies Labeling Reappraisal Distancing Mindfulness

Labeling Label Emotions “I’m Angry” Dampens the amygdala

Reappraise the Situation

Distancing

Mindfulness

“ Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgementally.” Jon Kabat-Zinn

Use the Reflexive system Create intentional habits

Work within the Limits of the PFC

The Adolescent Brain  Adolescence = Puberty thru the mid 20s

The Adolescent Brain

Neuroplasticity

One Last Thing…

Thank You!!