Week 7: Neuroscience and Art

While watching the video lectures for this weeks topic, I first became interested by the very first ideas about the brain. Starting with the ideas of the scientist Franz Joseph Gall and how he thought their was a direct correlation between a persons personality and level of intelligence and the size of their head. We know today that that theory isn’t entirely correct. However, Gall “was convinced that mental functions are localized in specific regions of the brain and that the human behavior is dependent upon these functions”(Vesna). This idea that different parts of the brain control different emotions and behaviors has been proven correct in today’s science.

What caught my attention the most in this week’s topic was the relationship between neuroscience and meditation. In my opinion meditation is closely related to art. It is a way of channeling and helping control ones emotions, similar to expression through art. They are both a type of creative release. Through neuroscience we have learned that there may be a link between meditation and bigger brains. A study done at UCLA has shown that “meditators showed significantly larger volumes of the hippocampus and areas within the orbito-frontal cortex, the thalamus and the inferior temporal gyrus”(Wheeler). All these areas of the brain help control emotion. Along with better emotional control, we know that meditators have better focus and reduced levels of stress and therefore better immune systems compared to those who do not meditate.

What I really liked about this research is that it is not only a bunch of cool facts to live a more focused and relaxed life, but that it has also been studied as a way to make the world a better place. UCLA psychologist, Lobsang Rapgay and the Dalai Lama are working together to try and find out “how Tibetan Buddhism and western neuroscience can work together to help people gain greater mental flexibility, creativity and compassion”(Lin).

Works Cited

Brophy, Maria. "How Meditation Helps the Creative Process." N.p., 19 Nov. 2009. Web. 17 May 2015.

"Evolutionary Theory." Evolution/Race and Nation/Socialism. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015. <http://www.cla.calpoly.edu/~lcall/111/week_seven.html>.

Lin, Judy. "Neuroscientist Helps Pave Way for Dalai Lama's Visit." N.p., 24 Feb. 2011. Web. 17 May 2015. 

"Monks Meditating | All Points East." All Points East. N.p., 3 May 2012. Web. 17 May 2015. <http://allpointseast.com/tours/cambodia-photography-tour/attachment/stanndard-cambodia-3/>.

"The Neuroscience of Mindfulness." Mindfulnet.org:The Independent Mindfulness Information Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015. <http://www.mindfulnet.org/page25.htm>.

Wheeler, Mark. "How to Build a Bigger Brain." How to Build a Bigger Brain. N.p., 12 May 2009. Web. 17 May 2015.