332: MindWaves: How to Use Less Brain Energy to Avoid
Burnouts and Better Connect With Those Around You
Time:
Aug 7, 3:45 - 5:00 PM
Location:
Governor's B
Presenters:
Eugene Brewer, Arlene Taylor
Level:
[X]
K-12
Specialty:
General
Description:
Your brain is as unique as your thumbprint. Some
things you do require more expenditure of energy
from you than it would of others. Some require less.
Understanding more about the amount of energy your
brain uses in your own thinking processes and aligning
your choices to what your brain does easily will add
life to your years and possibly, years to your life.
MindWaves will help you understand how people-that's you!--think and learn. (Arlene’s slides follow.)
MindWaves –
Implications for everyday living
Arlene Taylor PhD
References: Selected Brain Facts
www.arlenetaylor.org
URL: http://www.arlenetaylor.org/selected_brain_facts/index.htm
Your Brain is as Unique
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
As your thumbprint
No two brains are ever identical
in structure, function, or
perception!
• Give up any expectation of another brain perceiving anything
exactly as yours perceives it—and vice versa
• The way your brain functions largely determines your quality
of life including the way in which you learn new information
• This section is one brain’s perception of the research
The Brain Grows Quickly
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
In some ways and yet matures more slowly
than the physical body in others
 Myelination of the corpus callosum is generally
thought to be complete by age 20 or 21
 Development of the pre-frontal cortex may be
complete around the mid twenties, by age 25-27
 This maturation process may require an additional 1.6 years
to complete in the male brain (as compared to the female brain)
• It is dangerous to assume that individuals with adult-sized bodies
have brains that are complete and mature
• Decisions made prior to mid-twenties may not work well once
myelination is complete and pre-frontal lobes are developed
Generation Gap?
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
In PET Scan studies, when participants were
asked to respond to a question:
• Individuals over age 21 tended to process
their responses in the thinking brain layer
• Individuals below age 21 tended to process
their responses in the emotional brain layer
When questions began with the word why, study participants –
regardless of age -- tended to process their responses from the
emotional brain layer where there is no conscious thought
Avoid WHY Whenever Possible
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
In the English language, the word why
tends to be perceived as threatening – and
can trigger the brain to downshift
Try using other words to elicit information:
 What did you want to have happen?
 What could you do differently in the future?
 If you exhibit this behavior what do you think might happen?
 If you make this choice, what are the possible consequences
Use Your Brain by Design
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
In MindWaves, co-authors Brewer and Taylor,
highlight four key components of brain function
that can impact the amount of brain energy
required to accomplish specific tasks
 Understanding more about these key components
can help you identify, honor, and enjoy your own
brain’s uniqueness
 It can also help you identify (insofar as possible) and honor the brain
uniqueness of others, which can enhance communication/relationships
 According to E. G. White, it is the design of God that people with
differing types of brains live together in families so they can learn
how to get along with those who are not like them
1. Male-Female Continuum
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
• Takes in 95% of the population
• Checklists of psychological maleness
or femaleness give two scores
Empathizing Brain
(equated more with
female brain)
Balanced Brain
Systemizing =
Empathizing
Systemizing Brain
(equated more with
male brain)
 Some brains definitely lean toward systemizing, others lean
toward empathizing, and some are 50-50
 Some brains match their external housing while other’s don’t,
and about 5% of brains don’t even fall on the continuum
 No wonder people are confused!
Corpus Callosum Differences
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
Research has shown differences –
controversy exists about magnitude and meaning
Female Brain: Has a thicker
CC - no chemical bath and an
earlier onset of puberty. This
promotes a generalized style
of brain function.
Male Brain: Has a thinner
CC - gets a chemical bath
during gestation, and has a
later onset of puberty. This
promotes a lateralized style of
brain function.
The male brain is at higher risk for conditions exacerbated by
reduced hemispheric coordination (e.g., dyslexia, hyperactivity)
M-F Brain Energy Differences
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
Male Brain
Female Brain
• Generalized processing style
• If any part of the brain is “on,”
it’s all on
• Second for second requires
more energy to run
• Lateralized processing style
• While one part is working,
other sections can be “idling”
• Is more energy efficient;
requires less energy to run
second for second; tends to
evaluate and allot energy in
advance of the activity/event
Shopping Challenges and Energy
Arlene Taylor PhD
Female Brain
 Tends to browse – for a change
or adventure
 Does more comparison
shopping at the time
 More spontaneous
about following a
“list,” if one even
exists
Realizations Inc
Male Brain
 Tends to hunt for
a pre-identified
quarry
 Does more research
ahead of time
 Allots energy based on
estimated time and task, and
can run out of energy if the
agenda changes
Thought-Processing Styles
Arlene Taylor PhD
Female Brain
Realizations Inc
Male Brain
 Tends to process information
verbally and aloud and arrives
at a conclusion during the
process
 Tends to process information
internally and silently, and
wants to state the conclusion
only when process is completed
 May want only empathy and a
listener rather than help with a
solution
 Usually want to fix the problem
or come up with a solution that
can be implemented
 Tends to function better in an
environment with low levels of
distraction (e.g., IQ test scores
were higher when room was
quiet)
 Tends to focus better in an
environment where there is
some distraction (e.g., IQ test
scores were higher in noisy
room)
Rumination Styles – Trunk Metaphor
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
Female Brain
Male Brain
Tends to:
Tends to:








Generalize
Integrate
Compound
Stew
Lateralize
Compartmentalize
Segment
Separate
2. Extroversion Ambiversion Introversion
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
Labels refer to the brain’s focus – internal or external
And has little or nothing to do with how much you like people
Extreme
Extroversion
15%
 Ambiversion 
70%
Extreme
Introversion
15%
E-I Continuum
You can flex along the E-I Continuum in specific situations / environments
to some degree and still function – long-term it will cost you in energy and
can decrease your effectiveness
Extremes – Special Types of Giftedness
Arlene Taylor PhD
Extreme Extroversion
A special protective Callus
protects the brain from being
readily hurt or bested in
specific situations (e.g., highly
stimulating, conflictive,
competitive, combative) that
could overwhelm less
extroverted brains.
Incoming stimuli
are miniaturized
A
m
b
i
v
e
r
s
i
o
n
70%
Realizations Inc
Extreme Introversion
Has no protective Callus.
Brain takes in more data
second for second and reflects
on it to gain understanding or
view it in a new way. May shut
out additional input to process
what has already been
absorbed.
Incoming stimuli
are magnified
Ambiversion is a label of exclusion (e.g., not extremely
extroverted or introverted, no extreme needs/giftedness)
Blood-Flow Rates Differ
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
Dr. Debra Johnson, PET Scan Studies
Extreme Extroversion
Lower rates of blood flow to
the brain (lower internal
stimulation)
Shorter, fast-acting, less
complicated blood-flow
patterns; involve areas
related to sensory processing
(except for smell) and
novelty/variety
A
m
b
i
v
e
r
s
i
o
n
70%
Extreme Introversion
Higher rates of blood flow to
the brain (higher internal
stimulation)
Longer, complex blood-flow
patterns; involve areas related
to pondering internal
experiences (e.g., planning,
recalling)
Different Neurochemicals Fuel
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
Dominant pathways - Dr. Debra Johnson
Extreme Extroversion
Short, direct, dominant
pathway is activated by
dopamine (pleasure, feel
good, brief euphoria)
Adrenalin, cocaine, and
amphetamines, can increase
dopamine levels
Crave variety, high intensity,
and different types of stimuli
A
m
b
i
v
e
r
s
i
o
n
70%
Extreme Introversion
Longer, more complex
pathway is activated by
acetylcholine (alertness,
paying attention)
Lecithin (precursor to choline)
can increase acetylcholine
levels
Prefer less variety and
intensity, and more depth
Characteristics of Extremes
Arlene Taylor PhD
Extreme Extroversion
Gain energy by interacting
with the outer world
Tend to spend energy freely
Need frequent breaks when
trying to focus
Energy is drained in an
under-stimulating
environment (bored, restless,
delinquent, fall asleep)
A
m
b
i
v
e
r
s
i
o
n
70%
Realizations Inc
Extreme Introversion
Gain energy by interacting
with internal world
Tend to be more conserving of
energy
Can take longer to have
energy restored
Energy is drained in an overstimulating environment
(tired, (withdraw, get sick,
become depressed)
Implications for Everyday Living
Arlene Taylor PhD
Extreme Extroversion
Excel at tasks that provide
high levels of stimulation and
variety versus prolonged
attention to detail.
Tend to score higher on
“positive” current-mood
scales.
A
m
b
i
v
e
r
s
i
o
n
Realizations Inc
Extreme Introversion
Excel at tasks that require
careful attention (e.g. reading
radar screens, research labs
with solitary cubicles).
Tend to dwell more on the
negative features of social
situations.
Less responsive to punishment
Tend to be more sensitive to
and are likely to continue
70% punishment and to negativity,
acting in face of frustration
and may be easier to condition
At higher risk for delinquency
At higher risk for depression
3. Sensory Preference
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
The type of sensory stimuli that registers most
quickly in your brain
 The brain’s decoding centers can receive up to
10 million bits of sensory data per second
 Early in life human beings tend to use the
senses almost equally
 By age 5 or 6 the brain begins to organize
toward a sensory preference
 Sensory preference impacts how you prefer
to absorb sensory data, the type of data you
miss, the way you tend to communicate with
other, and how you learn easily
Population Estimates of Incidence
Arlene Taylor PhD
20% Auditory
Preference
Realizations Inc
60% Visual
Preference
20% Kinesthetic
Preference
N
More females than
males
More males than
females
Equal males and
females
It requires less energy to process sensory stimuli that match
your sensory system preference
M-F Vision Differences
Arlene Taylor PhD
Female brain has m ore P cells
in retina – are designed to
process color and texture
Realizations Inc
Male brain has more M cells in
retina – are motion detectors
Prewired to be more interested
Prewired to be more interested in moving objects - tend to be
in faces - tend to be less
more physically active and
physically active overall
move more overall
More sensitive to red, orange,
green, and beige
More sensitive to black, gray,
silver, and blue
M-F Vision Style Differences
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
Females tend to have a shortMales tend to have a longrange, wider, peripheral-vision range narrower, tunnel-vision
style
style (e.g., built-in binoculars)
Females may find it easier to
locate specific items in
cupboards, drawers, and
refrigerators as their vision
takes in more of the immediate
environment
Males may find it easier to
locate items that are a further
away (e.g., signs, markers,
hunting quarry)
M-F Hearing Differences
Arlene Taylor PhD
Females tend to hear better
overall
Realizations Inc
Males tend to have less acute
hearing overall
As early as age eleven, girls
Hearing differences become
tends to become distracted by more pronounced throughout
noise levels that are
life
approximately 10 times softer
than the levels that comparable
boys find distracting.
 When communicating with only females, keep room as free of
extraneous noise and distraction as possible
 When communicating with males, speak up and/or use a microphone
Hearing Differences Applications
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
Study at University of Sheffield and published in
the journal NeuroImage
Female brain typically processes
voice sounds in Wernicke’s area in
the L. hemisphere, regardless of
age or gender
Male brain typically processes
male-voice sounds in Wernicke’s
area; female-voice sounds in the
auditory portion of the R.
hemisphere that processes music /
melody lines.
 A female voice is more difficult for the male brain to process – typically
processes it as a “melody line” or as “background music”
 To increase the likelihood of being “heard” by a male brain, a female
must lower her voice pitch and keep it even, speak louder, and allow
inflections to fall at the end of sentences
4. Thinking Preference or Brain Lead
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
Refers to brain’s energy efficiency for processing information
Based on PET Scan Studies, the human
brains is believed to possess an innate
biochemical energy advantage in one of
the natural cerebral divisions over the
other three
It is stable, energy efficient, and impacts:
 Level of competence
 Ability to sustain high performance
 Health and longevity
 Overall success
PET Scans Have Shown
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
 When performing non-preferred functions,
the brain expends more energy and requires:
• More oxygen, glucose, and micronutrition
• A longer rest time to recover
 To use a monetary metaphor, the difference in energy
expended may be pennies on the dollar
• 1¢ per second versus $1 per second -- and that’s after the
skills have been developed
• Based on brain lead, you will tend to excel at some tasks
(energy-efficient expenditure), and procrastinate or
struggle with others (energy-intensive expenditures)
Nothing in Life is Free
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
You always give up something to get something – and
the bottom- line unit of exchange is energy
To be a good steward, minimize your brain-energy drain!
Learn to evaluate relative energy expenditures and ask:
 How much is this something going to cost me in energy?
 Do I want it badly enough to exchange that amount of energy?
Knowing the way in which your brain functions
most energy-efficiently can enable you to make proactive choices about the types of tasks you undertake
and the relative amount of time you devote to them
Brain Energy Drain
Arlene Taylor PhD
Realizations Inc
 Can negatively impact your health, longevity,
and long-term success
 Estimates are that you can shorten your lifespan from 14-2
years when you spend large amounts of time requiring you
brain to complete tasks that are a mismatch with what it
does energy-efficiently
 Long term you are more likely to be happy, healthy, and
successful when there is a match between what your brain
does energy-efficiently and a majority (e.g., 51%) of your
life’s activities.
The life you save may be your own!
Speaker Information
If you ask Arlene Taylor what she does in life that absolutely
energizes her, she will likely reply, “I’m a brain-function
specialist and I help people thrive!” She incorporates cuttingedge brain-function research into her empowering seminars,
highlighting strategies that, when practically applied, can help
people be more successfulby design.
A recipient of the American Medal of Honor for Brain-Function Education
(American Biographical Institute Inc, 2002), Taylor holds earned doctorates in
Health and Human Services and in Clinical Pastoral Counseling. In 1989 the
Loma Linda University Nursing Alumni Association selected Taylor as
Alumna of the year. She has life membership in the National Registry of Who’s
Who, 2000 edition. A member of the National Speakers Association, Taylor is
listed with the Professional Speakers Bureau International.
Access her web site (www.arlenetaylor.org) for descriptions of seminars,
Taylor-on-the-Brain Bulletins, SynapSez newsletter, Selected Brain Facts,
Frequently Asked Questions, lecture schedules, and more.
Brain Bulletin Offer
To receive the bimonthly Taylor-on-the-Brain Bulletin electronically at no
charge, complete the following:
Print first and last names ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Print E-mail address _______________________________________________
Tear off this portion and give it to Arlene Taylor or send the information via email to: thebrain@arlenetaylor.org