Neuroplasticity and Critical Thinking

The July 2008 Kaohsuing Journal of Medical Sciences published a series of articles on neuroplasticity and critical thinking.  The lead article, entitled Neuroplasticiy and Critical Thinking outlines the articles that were peer-reviewed.  See link and download:

http://ajws.elsevier.com/ajws3/a260607.asp?journal_issn=1607-551X&volume=24&issue=7&year=2008&month=7

I found it interesting to note that the Arrowsmith Program can build reasoning ability.  This can take from 6 months to 3 years of intervention depending on the severity of the reasoning or critical thinking issue.  Students who are targeted to improve reasoning are asked to do cognitive exercises that build this area of brain functioning.  The exercises ask them to look at the “big picture” first and then come up with conclusions or summaries about this information – both through language analysis and visual-perceptual reasoning.  This builds the students reasoning or conceptual thinking abilities over time.  As well, significant repetition is required to improve a cognitive weakness in this area of neurological functioning.  Read these articles for insight into this area of neuroplasticity.

The point that IQ is not fixed as reasoning and other cognitive functions can be significantly improved is quite evident in this ongoing scientific investigation into the plastic brain.