When our passion clouds our judgement

One of the challenges we face in Brain Friendly Learning is reacting to scientific discoveries in an appropriate way. This is especially true when the headlines or accepted interpretation of the data reinforces our own experience. It’s only natural that we use this new (or sometimes surprisingly old!) data in our training sessions and workshops.

We accept the research at face value because it resonates with our experience or prior understanding. Unfortunately this means we sometimes perpetuate myths and continue the cycle of deception by exposing others to the misinterpretation. Our learners trust our authority and may continue the cycle by passing on their new (mis)understanding to others.

This is especially true for those of us involved in train-the-trainer programmes.

We have a great responsibility to make sure that we check out the true facts of the research – even if it is regarding well established and widely accepted theories.

An example of this is a 60-second podcast from Scientific American (Facial Expressions: East Doesn’t Meet West: Scientific American Podcast) about the different ways eastern and western cultures manifest and interpret facial expressions. In our culturally diverse communities, one would think this research would be valuable and insightful.

Go and check out the brief article and 60-second podcast – then come back … …

So, we have compelling evidence that ‘eastern’ cultures focus on eyes and ‘western’ cultures seem to take in the whole face. The article includes this statement:

A study in the journal Current Biology that finds that Eastern and Western facial expressions related to emotional states may differoenough for possible nonverbal miscommunication:

So far so good…

When you were reading the article, did you check out the comments at the bottom?

Both pages?

If not, go check them out, they make interesting reading…

• Can a such a small sample size provide definitive conclusions?
• Could the fact that the subjects were responding to an actor simulating expressions rather than photos or video of genuine expressions make a difference to the conclusions?
• Are the facial expressions different or is the perception and interpretation of facial expressions that is different – or is it a combination of both… or neither?

If we take the report in Sci-Am at face value without fully examining the research we may at best be doing our learners a disservice, at worst we’ll be setting them up for a fall when it all unravels later.

Over the last 15 years I’m sorry to admit that I’ve unwittingly misled many trainers and managers (maybe even some of you) by allowing my enthusiasm and hope to unquestioningly accept faulty research or misguided conclusions of solid research.

This has included:

• The Mozart Effect
• Brain Gym
• Cone of Learning
• Multi-tasking is possible
• Mehrabians non-verbal communication research

All of the above have an element truth and solid research supporting them. Unfortunately, each of them have been overstated or exaggerated beyond the scope of the research and these exaggerations or unsubstantiated claims have been spread by well meaning and trusting trainers and managers.

Unfortunately this works against us when the falsehoods are exposed and the good, solid parts of the theory are dismissed with the nonsense. For example:

• Many people reject ALL aspects of Brain Gym because the benefits are overstated and some aspects are scientifically impossible.
• Many of the tangible benefits of using music are missed because people are tied to the unproven urban myth that only baroque will do.

Our call to action this week is to challenge the theories you accept without question especially when they begin with the phrase “it has been scientifically proven…“.

keypad image by Brittany G
fire & ice image by BottleLeaf

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