10 Things That Can Make You Smarter
The science of learning is a relatively new discipline that combines principles from cognitive science, psychology, philosophy and neuroscience. It is geared towards a deeper understanding of one of the most essential aspects of the human brain – its ability to learn and apply such learning to everyday life. A growing body of research suggests that we can actually enhance our power to learn and maximise the insights we gain from it. How?
Whilst there is no ‘magic bullet’ strategy for developing intelligence (well, at least for now), there are some the things that can help sharpen our mind and make us smarter, according to research.
Mindset
Our beliefs influence how we see and perceive the world, and the things around us. According to Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, there are two types of mindset – the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. As the terms suggest, the latter refers to the assumption that we can continue to progress and develop through learning and practice while the former is the belief that our ability is fixed and unchanging; therefore, it doesn’t matter what we do, we are anyway stuck in our limitations. We don’t need a rocket scientist to tell us that having a growth mindset stimulates learning while having a fixed one puts an end to it.
Situation
Any situation can be a place of learning. Whether it’s a simple schoolwork, or a complicated project, a business venture, or a relationship issue – every situation gives us an opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge, and strengthen those we already have. So don’t be afraid if you are in situations that make you feel less comfortable. Just like what they say – when we jump out of out comfort zone, we are able to do things we never thought we can.
Food
What you eat affects how you think. Basically, our diet is the primary source of nutrients needed by our brain to maintain healthy neuronal networks that promote and strengthen intelligence. The right food optimises brain function and prevents the occurrence of brain disorders and diseases. A mind-boosting diet is one that includes fruits and vegetables, fish oil, protein, trace minerals, and antioxidants.
Attention
In the late 1960s, psychologist Walter Mischel conducted an experiment widely known as the ‘marshmallow test’. In this study, he found that children who were able to resist eating a marshmallow in return for the promise of two mallows later did better in school and in their chosen careers. Many people these days still struggle with the marshmallow test every time they decide whether to take a peek into their Facebook or Twitter accounts while in the middle of a paperwork. Research has shown that learning is influenced by our ability to focus our attention. It may appear like multitasking is the best remedy in this oh-so busy world but it turned out, it actually makes us do less quality work. Basically, focused attention is an important ingredient in harnessing intelligence.
Technology
The theory on ‘extended mind’ suggests that our mind doesn’t stop at our skull. It reaches out and seeks help from our bodies, tools and other people to achieve its goal. The modern technology allows us to do things in just one ‘tick’. But the problem is this – over-usage of the technology prevents us from being smarter. Nowadays, how many students spend hours in the library getting information from books when they can always ‘Google’ it? Because the technology often gives us what we want and need in split seconds, we forget to master some important skills that could make us even smarter. So it is always important to remember when and when not to use technology.
Relationship
The sense of ‘belongingness’ that we find in organisations and groups fuels our motivation to do better and enhance our skills, and increase our learning. Psychologists call it ‘transactive memory’. It is a psychological hypothesis that was first introduced by Daniel Wegner which refers to the mechanism in which people in close relationships or groups share, store, and retrieve information. It suggests that every member of the group doesn’t have to remember every single thing. When one knows one thing and the other knows another, together they can create a larger base of knowledge.
Our Body
Taking care of our body is the single first step towards enhancing our intelligence. Imagine not having to sleep for 48 hours straight prior a presentation. You could be lacking in energy, focus and attention – three things critical to perform well. Numerous studies suggest that getting enough sleep is one key factor to being smarter because it is during sleep when we process and retain information we just acquired. Sleep allows us to weaken the information that are trivial and strengthen those that important. According to a study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), success on exams in the classroom is tied to sleep.
Emotions
When you are in bad mood or when you feel anxious and worried, do you find it hard to concentrate on your task? When you’re feeling good, does it feel like your creativity dramatically improves? We often make a fine line between emotions and intelligence. Many times, when we talk about academic success, we disregard emotions, and vice versa. But the science of learning suggests that our emotional state significantly affects how smartly we think and act. Emotion and intelligence are two inseparable things. Research has shown that hopefulness inspires us to work harder and persist longer. However, it only becomes useful when it is paired with practical plans to achieve our goals.
Mastery
Being an expert in your field is one way to become smarter and make you feel more confident in your career. An expert’s knowledge is automatic and flexible. Meaning, it can apply to any given situation without the person having to think deeply about it. It’s because his knowledge is streamlined in mental programmes that work without constant effort. But it really takes time and perseverance to achieve this level. No one is born an expert. It’s never too late to master the subject that interests you very much. When you like what you are doing, mastering it becomes easier.
Meditation
Meditation promotes intelligence in plenty of ways. First, it helps us cultivate positive emotions. As mentioned earlier, positive emotions boost our creativity and motivate us to continue learning. Another thing, meditation strengthens our mental focus – something that is highly critical for intelligence. In a study published in the journal Meditation, it was found that students who briefly meditated right before the lecture scored better on post-lecture quiz than those who didn’t meditate. The researchers from George Mason University added that meditation might help students be more successful in their college courses and in their careers.
Giving attention to these things can help us improve our cognitive abilities and go beyond our limitations. Can you suggest other things or ways that can fuel our intelligence and creativity? Share your insights by posting a comment below.
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