NeuroMediators: Understanding the brain is a critical key to resolving conflict (both within a culture and between cultures)

From Stephanie West Allen’s blog on Neuroscience and conflict resolution.

Yesterday I blogged about how very important it is for conflict resolution practitioners to have knowledge about the workings of the brain and the mind. To underscore my point, please listen to this new interview of Doctors Jeffrey Schwartz and Norman Doidge. (Thanks to Australia's ABC National Radio All In the Mind for posting the interview so we may listen; they will post the transcript midweek.)

In the interview you will hear about the brain's plasticity and how understanding its malleability can give you and your clients more options for change. Some points covered:

• You can harness neuroplasticity by paying attention to: 1) how you perceive, 2) how you act, and 3) what you think and imagine.
• When you understand how your brain works, you can use that information to enhance your perspective, broaden your sense of capacity, and, by consistently changing your focus, change your brain.
• Cultural differences are not merely matters of opinion. They are created by brain wiring, an "incredibly important" point, one which needs much more consideration and thought.

Many more topics are discussed. I urge you to listen. You will be reminded of how much of a sculptor of our lives we can be when we master the art of changing our brains. By learning about self-directed neuroplasticity, you are handed the ways and means of neuro-Play-Doh. So what are you going to mold and change? What are you going to help your clients to create?

Let's end this post with Hasbro's tag line for Play-Doh because it is another way of describing self-directed neuroplasticity: "Imagination taking shape!"

Image credit: tabhijit

                       

Stephanie West Allen

Stephanie West Allen, JD, practiced law in California for several years, held offices in local bar associations, and wrote chapters for California Continuing Education of the Bar. While in CA, Stephanie completed several five-day mediation training programs with the Center for Mediation in Law, as well as a two-year intensive… MORE >