©Arlene R. Taylor PhDwww.arlenetaylor.orgBrain References

Presents

Unity in Diversity—an

Oxymoron

An Oxymoron©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

A figure of speech that combines contradictory words

Jumbo shrimp (jumbo means largewhile shrimp means small)

Working vacationGood griefMilitary intelligenceUnity in diversity

Unity is Desirable©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

There are no two leaves of a tree precisely alike; neither do all minds run in the same direction—but while this is so, there may be unity in diversity

⎯ E. G. White, R & H, July 4, 1899(early use of the oxymoron in print)

Diversity is Desirable©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

In all phases of human activity, not only are there diverse excellences, but diversity itself is the essence of excellence.

⎯Lovejoy

Every brain on this planet is differentNone of us is good at everythingOften we expect others to be like us

Many Different Parts . . .©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

It’s complex!

M-F Continuum©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Systemizing Brain Equated with male brains in this culture

50-50Brain

Empathizing Brain -Equated with female brains in this culture

Includes 95% of the population

Checklists of psychological maleness or femaleness give two scores (no human is believed to becompletely empathizing or systemizing)

M-F Differences©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

More physicallyactiveMore goal orientedWant the“bottom line”May find it easier to work with peoplethey do not like

• Less physicallyactive

• More experienceoriented

• Want the wholestory “from A-Z”

• May find it difficultto work with people they dislike

West Brain-East Brain©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Cultural Neuroscience is a relatively new science that studies how culture influences brain structure and functions

West brains (European and Americancultures) tend to think in a more analytical way

East brains (Chinese, Korean, Japanese cultures) tend to think in a more holistic manner

East-West Studies©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

West brains: Tend to organize in a categorical style – monkey with a panda since both are animals

East brains: Tend to organizein a relational style – monkeywith a banana since monkeyseat bananas

The EAI Continuum©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Extraverts 15% Ambiverts 70% Introverts 15%

Has little if anything to do with how much you like people

Extraverts: Tend to do well at high-stimulation / high-excitement tasksIntroverts: Tend to do better at low-stimulation / high-attention tasksAmbiverts: Tend to do well at tasksof moderate stimulation and attention

EAI Continuum©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Extraverts 15%

Energy drained byunder- stimulating environments (may become bored, restless, sleepy)

Need frequent breaks when trying to focus

Ambiverts

Introverts 15%

Energy drained by over-stimulating environments (may become tired, depressed, sick)

Can focus for longperiods of time on a topic / project

Within days of birth the extremes of Extraversion and Introversion can usually be

recognized - Ambiversion is a label of exclusion . . . If not E or I, then A

Extravert Ambivert Introvert

Teamwork and EAI©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Extraverts15%

Ambiverts 70% Introverts15%

Prefer to be in charge

of the team

Like teams and teamwork

Prefer to be resource

specialists

Independent workers, star performers, deal makers

Independent workers,

researchers, and writers

Sensory Preference©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Decoding centers are in the3rd brain layer (except for odors that are decoded in the 2nd brain layer)

One type of sensory data usually registers most quickly and intensely in your brain 3rd Brain Layer

Population Estimates ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

20% Auditory –more females

60% Visual –more males

20% Kinesthetic –equal M and F

Humans communicate with each other and the environment through the senses

Sensory Preference

Sensory Caveats©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

You tend to relate to others in your sensory preference unless you make a different choice

You tend to gravitate toward environmentsthat acknowledge, make provision for, andreward your sensory preference

Which sensory system is emphasized at home, school, church, work, America, Europe, East, West . . . ?

Brain Lead and PET Scans©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Most brains are believed tohave an innate energyadvantage in one of thefour cerebral divisions

The brain uses less oxygen, glucose,and micronutrition, and needs a shorter recovery time when performing tasks that draw heavily on its area of energy advantage or “brain lead” ⎯Richard Haier, MD

Lock and Key Metaphor©Arlene R. Taylor, PhD Realizations Inc

Locks represent your life’s activitiesKeys represent your brain’s energy advantage

A key opens the lock quickly and easilyEnergy cost = $1 per second

Picking a lock requires 100 timesmore energy, even if you succeed

Energy cost = $100 per second

Life and Health Failures©Arlene R. Taylor, PhD Realizations Inc

• Weight problems

• Relationshipproblems

• Addictive behaviors

• Discouraged, depressed, oroverwhelmed

• Fatigue and/or or illnesses

• Autoimmune diseases

• Challenging work history

• Learning or cognitivedifficulties

Potential results when too many locks to pick

Brain Lead in one Division©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Frontal Left Set and achieve goalsMake timely objective decisions

Frontal Right Anticipate, innovate, and

make changes (humor)Visualize and meditate

Basal Left Supply services (dependably) for maintaining lifeRun routines and habits

Basal RightBuild trust, connection,

peaceful foundationsAssess for and

promote harmony

Brain Lead Impact©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Individual behaviors may followNature – innate giftednessNurture – learned expectationsCharismatic brainwashing – coercion

or expectations to conform

Often a tendency for one brain to believe that its preferred style is “right for every brain”(can lead to coercion/ or even persecution)

Approach to Spirituality©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

FL - SystematicIntellectual - AnalyticalHierarchicalGoal-orientedDrawn toward decision-making, doctrinal / theology

FR - UnconventionalIntuitive - ConjecturalMeditativeChange-orientedDrawn toward innovation, the unorthodox, and variety

BL - TraditionalOrganized - ConservativeRules-orientedDrawn toward routines, rituals, memorizing, reading, maintaining the status quo

BR - EmotionalRelational - ExpressiveExperience-orientedDrawn toward relating, affirming, encouraging, and connecting

Nothing is 100% ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

You give up something to get something

Studies of problem-solving in diverse groups versus homogeneous groups

Homogeneous groups: didn’t get very far with the problem-solving but ratedit an enjoyable experience

Diverse groups: got much farther withthe problem-solving but rated it a lessenjoyable experience

It’s High Time . . .©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Unfortunately, there is usuallyfar more lip service aboutunity in diversity thanpractical application . . .

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., I have a dream – that someday families, schools, churches, organizations, even countries will honor, embrace, exhibit, maximize, and enjoy unity in diversity

It’s a Challenge!©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

What are you doing daily to create unity in diversity in your environment?

You can be part of theproblem or of the solution

Only when all the parts (pyramid layers) are at the table, will any group be whole and flourish . . .