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Archive for brain plasticity

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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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). […]

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Of Marshmallows, Brain Plasticity and Attachment (part I)

The Marshmallow Test. You know the one. That’s where researchers place marshmallows (or other treats) in front of kids around age six or seven and then give the following direction: “You can eat one marshmallow any time after I leave the room if you wish, however, if you wait until I come back then you […]

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