Being Positive Opens Your Mind
Literally – when people are positive all 5 brain learning-centers are open.
By Joe Tassinari, UC Davis Instructor, Workplace Enrichment Developer

5 Brain Learning Centers

Working memory is the ability of the brain to maintain a temporary representation of information about the task that an animal is currently engaged in. This sort of dynamic memory is thought to be mediated by the formation of cell assemblies—activated neurons that maintain their activity by stimulating one another.

Episodic memory is the ability to remember the details of specific events. This sort of memory can last for a lifetime. Much evidence implicates the hippocampus in playing a crucial role: people with severe damage to the hippocampus sometimes show amnesia, inability to form new long-lasting episodic memories.

Semantic memory is the ability to learn facts and relationships. This sort of memory is probably stored largely in the cerebral cortex, mediated by changes in connections between cells that represent specific types of information.

Instrumental learning is the ability for rewards and punishments to modify behavior. It is implemented by a network of brain areas near the basal ganglia.

Motor learning is the ability to refine patterns of body movement by practicing, or more generally by repetition. A number of brain areas are involved, including the premotor cortex, basal ganglia, and especially the cerebellum, which functions as a large memory bank for microadjustments of movement.

Neuroimaging evidence has shown that while experiencing positivity the five learning centers in the brain are actively stimulated. Teams that offer members opportunities to make valued contributions to the group product, display gratitude in front of the group and accept mistakes are teams that produce a positive affect. ~ Joe Tassinari

(Chugani & Phelps, 1991; Kato & McEwen, 2003; American Psychological Assn., 2012)