The Malleability of the Adult Brain: Learning Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Abstract Thinking
Can the adult brain still learn and develop critical thinking, creativity, and abstract thinking skills? Many may question this, especially if one is beyond the traditional impressionable age. However, the exciting field of neuroscience tells us that the brain remains plastic and adaptable throughout life, provided we challenge it in the right ways.
Adjusting Life Routines for Cognitive Flexibility
Consider the process of making a piece of wood shiny, much like an adult developing new cognitive skills. Wood can be polished and buffed to a high shine through a series of steps, just as an adult can learn to think critically, creatively, and abstractly. The brain is no different; it can be 'polished' through conscious effort and practice. Breaking down routines and introducing spontaneity can greatly enhance cognitive flexibility.
For instance, making wood shiny involves:
Proper sanding to remove imperfections Applying stain to deepen the color Coating with a clear finish to protect and enhance shine Buffing to achieve the desired level of glossSimilarly, by consciously working on critical thinking, creativity, and abstract thinking, one can polish these skills to a reflective sheen. This requires intentional practice and a willingness to break away from habitual thinking patterns.
The Neuroscience of Critical Thinking
According to Paul Sackett and Nathan Kuncel's presentation in 2015, teaching critical thinking is not as simple as one might think. Their findings were presented at the International Society for Intelligence Research conference in Albuquerque. While high school grades may reflect motivation, the Big Five traits (Openness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism) also play significant roles in academic success. This suggests that teaching critical thinking is not just about imparting knowledge but also about nurturing certain personality traits.
critical thinking is primarily a function of:
The ability to inhibit irrelevant information Increasing connectivity between brain regions not typically connected Divergent thought to explore multiple possibilities Access to the Default Mode Network (DMN) for creative idea generation Seized attention to focus on the task at hand, albeit flexibly (leaky attention) The ability to create remote associations to connect ideasUnderstanding Creativity: A Biological Perspective
Creativity, it turns out, is deeply rooted in the biology of the brain. While it is true that schools and teachers cannot simply ignite creativity or destroy it, understanding the biological foundation of creativity can help us appreciate the complexity of this process. The The Cambridge Handbook of the Neuroscience of Creativity (2018) edited by Rex E. Jung and Oshin Vartanian provides an excellent overview of the factors that contribute to creativity.
Some key factors that contribute to a creative mind include:
Lowered inhibition Increased connectivity between brain regions Divergent thought Access to the DMN for idea generation Leaky attention The ability to create remote associationsIt has been observed that critical insights often arrive when the brain is in the DMN, a state that encourages free association and reflection. Studies such as Wertz et al.'s Neuroanatomy of creative achievement (2020) provide further insights into the distinct neural pathways and neuroanatomy that underlie creativity in artists and scientists.
Conclusion: Embracing Lifelong Learning
The adult brain is not hard-wired but rather malleable, as evidenced by the many ways in which we can challenge ourselves to grow and evolve mentally. By consciously engaging with critical thinking, creativity, and abstract thinking, adults can achieve remarkable cognitive growth. This requires a commitment to lifelong learning, breaking routines, and embracing spontaneity.