Chapter 3: This Is Your Brain on Culture

Which of the following statements is correct?

• The brain seeks threats to safety at all costs and avoids well-being at every opportunity.

• The brain avoids threats to safety at all costs and seeks well-being at every opportunity.

• The brain works to seek opportunities for thrill.

This part of the brain is “The Watcher” and it scans the environment for novelty and relevant information. It is always on and is responsible for alertness and attention.

• Amygdala

• Hippocampous

• Reticular activating system (RAS)

• Corpus callosum

This part of the brain is “The Guard Dog” and it prepares the body for fight, flight, freeze, or appease when a threat is present.

• Amygdala

• Hippocampous

• Reticular activating system (RAS)

• Corpus callosum

This part of the brain is “The Wikipedia Pages” and is the site of memory. This is where active learning takes place.

• Amygdala

• Hippocampous

• Reticular activating system (RAS)

• Corpus callosum

When the amygdala is hijacked which of the following occur:

• Distress signals are sent throughout the brain and nervous system

• Cortisol, a stress hormone, is released

• All cognitive functions (learning, problem solving, creative thinking) stop

• All of the above

When the amygdala is hijacked, memory:

• Is strengthened

• Is weakened

• Stays the same

To build intellective capacity, the brain must get through two emotional gatekeepers: the reticular activating system (RAS) and the amygdala.

• True

• False

Which of the following statements is true about learning:

• Because of neuroplasticity, the brain is able to grow an unlimited amount of neural connections.

• Learning happens as neurons communicate with each other.

• When the brain learns something new it clusters neurons together to create a neural pathway.

• When we don’t practice or use new dendrites shortly after a learning episode, our brain prunes them. This is why repetition is important.

• All of the above are true about learning

This is the precursor to learning and occurs through the nervous system:

• Rigor

• Relationships

• Repetition

• None of the above

If a student does not experience a sense of community, the safety-threat detection system is cued on and the brain does not produce enough oxytocin, leading to anxiety. This is why building positive social relationships that signal to the brain a sense of physical, psychological, and social safety are critical so that learning is possible.

• True

• False