Brain science and cognitive psychology are in high demand amongst professions such as social psychology, education and science. Advancing the capabilities of the human brain in terms of power to benefit society and improve people’s lives has become a topic of increasing value and interest to social psychologists. This research, limited to a literature review and a number of face to face interviews with psychology students to add some contemporary perspectives, investigated how increases in brain power could be achieved and what the potential benefits could be to social psychologists. Results suggest that short term brain power increases can be achieved through the application of low risk neurocognitive approaches such as brain training and by consuming natural brain foods and nutritional brain drugs. Infra-red laser stimulation of certain parts of the human brain not only increases cognitive brain power permanently but has the potential to reduce or eliminate brain diseases such as dementia and autism. Caution should be exercised to maintain the humanity element of what makes people human prior to engaging in long term brain power increase activities.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Literature Review
1.3 Main Research Questions/Hypotheses
2. Research Methodology
2.1 Method
2.2 Data Collection and Interpretation
3. Results
3.1 Face to Face Interviews
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Research Objectives and Themes
This research aims to investigate methods for increasing human brain power and to analyze the potential impacts and benefits such enhancements could offer to the field of social psychology.
- Mechanisms for enhancing brain power (neurocognitive approaches and technological interventions).
- The role of neuroscience in understanding social behavior and mental processes.
- Integration of cognitive brain power models with social psychology applications.
- Ethical considerations regarding neuro-enhancement and the preservation of human identity.
- The relationship between brain function and social cognition.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Introduction
It appears that brain development and associated solutions to reduce or eliminate brain diseases has become a topic of interest recently. Brain power specialist consultants all over the world can help people to improve their brain power in areas such as working memory, thinking ability, improving sleep and controlling anxiety. Neuroscientists have been able to advance technology in areas such as infra-red laser stimulation and brain food drugs to reduce the likelihood of brain diseases developing and/or eliminate these. The exploration of these new avenues is not finite and more work needs to be done to perfect the expected outcomes and reduce associated risks such as retaining long-term memory at the expense of losing short-term memory.
Ageing causes changes to the brain size, vasculature, and cognition (Peters, 2006). The brain shrinks with increasing age and there are changes at all levels from molecules to morphology. Incidence of stroke, white matter lesions, and dementia also rise with age, as does level of memory impairment and there are changes in levels of neurotransmitters and hormones. According to the United States Alzheimer Association’s 2012 report, for example, it is estimated, based on current trends, that between 11m and 16 m people in the United States will suffer from this disease by the year 2050. Reports issued by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS, 2006) and Centres for Disease Control (2012) confirm that the number of people who suffer from mental disorders, is on the increase, too. This will put more pressure on social psychologists to respond in appropriate ways to help people improve their social lives.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the growing interest in brain development and the potential for cognitive enhancement, while outlining the research's aim to bridge neuroscience and social psychology.
2. Research Methodology: This section details the constructivist interpretivist approach used, involving literature reviews and interviews with psychology students to gather contemporary perspectives.
3. Results: This chapter presents the findings from face-to-face interviews regarding methods to increase brain power and the perceived benefits for social and cognitive functioning.
4. Discussion: This section analyzes the findings, exploring the intersection of neural science and social psychology, and addresses the ethical risks and potential future implications of permanent brain enhancement.
5. Conclusions: This chapter summarizes the research, emphasizing the need for ethical guidelines in neuro-enhancement and suggesting further investigation into early-life interventions and long-term societal effects.
Keywords
Brain Power, Cognitive Abilities, Infra-red transcranial laser stimulation, Social Psychology, Neuroscience, Memory, Attention, Neuroplasticity, Consciousness, Behavioral Science, Ethical Implications, Mental Performance, Human Cognition, Self-awareness, Social Influence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research explores how human brain power can be increased through various methods and evaluates what these improvements could mean for the field of social psychology.
What are the central themes discussed in the study?
The study centers on neurocognitive approaches, technological interventions like infra-red stimulation, the social nature of the brain, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding cognitive enhancement.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to determine the feasibility of enhancing brain power and to investigate the potential impact such advancements would have on social behaviors and individual well-being.
Which scientific methodology was employed?
The authors utilized a qualitative constructivist-interpretivist approach, combining a comprehensive literature review with empirical data from face-to-face interviews with psychology students.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body examines current neuroscientific theories, the configuration of the human brain, practical cognitive training methods, and the ethical implications of manipulating human consciousness and behavior.
Which keywords define this research?
Key terms include Brain Power, Social Psychology, Cognitive Abilities, Neuroplasticity, and Infra-red transcranial laser stimulation.
How does the study link social pain to brain function?
The text notes that social pain, such as exclusion, activates the same brain regions as physical pain, highlighting the brain's fundamental need for social connection.
Why is the "prefrontal cortex" highlighted in the interviews?
Participants identified the prefrontal cortex as a key area of focus because it is central to complex social-cognitive behaviors, including problem-solving, decision-making, and understanding others' intentions.
What ethical concerns are raised regarding brain enhancement?
The authors warn that substantial increases in brain power might negatively affect empathy, compassion, and free will, potentially compromising what is essentially "human" about the human race.
- Quote paper
- Prof Dr Eddie Fisher (Author), Yorkys Santana Gonzales (Author), 2017, Increasing Brain Power beyond Imagination-Aligning Neuroscience and Social Psychology to aid Prevention, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/384671
