Image

Author Archive for Rick Leonhardt – Page 34

Of Marshmallows, Brain Plasticity and Attachment – RECAP

My four-part series on Marshmallows, Brain Plasticity and Attachment was triggered by my read of Walter Mischel’s 2014 book entitled The Marshmallow Test—Mastering Self-Control. Today’s post will be a recap, a Reader’s Digest version if you will. I will also offer up a few possible ways of connecting the middle object brain to the upper […]

Read More

QUICK LOOK: Childhood Anxiety Could Physically Change The Brain

Childhood Anxiety Could Physically Change The Brain by Lindsay Holmes Before I post my recap of my blog series on Marshmallows, Brain Plasticity and Attachment, I’d like to draw your attention to the article above, which just came across my desk. It provides evidence that supports one of the ideas I presented in my last blog […]

Read More

Of Marshmallows, Brain Plasticity and Attachment (part IV)

Have you ever had this experience? You’re about to attempt an activity for the first time, say, snowboarding. You’ve taken a few lessons but now you’re on your own. There’s a bit of danger and a bit of risk. You ask yourself, “Will I fall getting onto the lift? Getting off the lift? Going down […]

Read More

Of Marshmallows, Brain Plasticity and Attachment (part III)

Part I introduced the reader to the work of Walter Mischel. Mischel developed the Marshmallow Test back in the 1960s. The Marshmallow Test is used to assess the psychological dimension known as “the ability to delay gratification.” Kids assessed as “high delayers” on the Marshmallow Test tend to go on to have successful lives. High […]

Read More

Of Marshmallows, Brain Plasticity and Attachment (part II)

Even a cursory glance reveals that the topic of brain plasticity is both scientifically and politically complex. As mentioned in part I, the concept of brain plasticity attempts to capture the brain’s apparent ability to change in response to new experiences such as therapy, cognitive exercises, and even certain religious practices (i.e., meditation and mindfulness). […]

Read More