Understanding human cognition
The authors of “Inside the Mind of a Savant” Treffert and Christensen sought to investigate how the human cognition process works by studying Kim Peek, an individual known to have one of the most extraordinary memories presently and in history (Treffert and Christensen, 2006). By understanding how Peek’s mind can record and retrieve information obtained a long time ago, researchers can comprehend the human cognition process.
It is essential first to understand the abilities that Peek possesses that make him stand out. Peek has a photographic memory that can retrieve information that was learned decades ago. For instance, Peek can recite music that he heard only once over forty years ago. That is extraordinary, with that being impossible for a normal human being. He has memorized all USA zip codes and can also name all media stations in all the country’s states (Treffert and Christensen, 2006).
Therefore, to understand how his brain works, researchers have had to take a closer look at his brain’s structure. This was made possible through the use of imaging techniques. Through the imaging studies, the researchers discovered that Peek had an unusual brain.
Peek’s brain lacks the corpus callosum, a nerve tissue that connects the brain’s two hemispheres. This was striking for the researchers because this nerve tissue’s absence is not associated with functional disorders as those observed in Peek. For instance, Peek cannot button his own shirt, walks with a sidelong gait, and cannot manage normal daily activities. After observing this defect, it led to various conclusions being made by the researchers.
The researchers theorized that people born without the corpus callosum would later in life develop systems of communication between the two hemispheres of the brain. They hypothesized that it created one large structure whereby the brain’s two hemispheres work as one large unit, therefore, putting typically separate functions under one organ. This, thus, could help explain why Savants have increased memories while at the same time reduced functional mobility.
Peek’s brain showed abnormalities in the left hemisphere, which is common in many savants. Damage to the brain’s left hemisphere is associated with stuttering, dyslexia, autism, and delayed speech in males compared to females. The conclusion drawn from this was that if there is damage on the left hemisphere of the brain, the right hemisphere will compensate for this by developing new skills (Treffert and Christensen, 2006). This is generally through the recruitment of brain tissue that was meant for other functions. Also, damage to the brain’s left side could act as a trigger to unveil skills that were otherwise latent on the right hemisphere. This phenomenon is usually called “the release from the tyranny of the dominant left hemisphere.”
This article and teachings from Walinga and Stangor 2016 have strong connection points. For instance, it has been shown that people can learn through repetition, which goes a long way in ensuring that what is learned can be retained for much longer in the brain (Walinga and Stangor, 2016, Ch. 1, p.26). Through rote, Peek has been able to develop skills like playing the piano. Rote learning is a form of learning through repetition.
Walinga and Stangor, 2016 Ch.9 p.345, use brain imaging techniques to understand how the brain cognition process works. This is also evident in (Treffert and Christensen, 2006). The images help in understanding how memories are created and stored in the human brain.
The textbook explains that people learn through classical conditioning (Walinga and Stangor 2016, Ch 2, pg. 66). This is whereby a person learns something by associating one element with another. Peek also learned many things such as music and Shakespeare’s works by associating it with people.
From this topic, I have to appreciate the importance of learning through repetition. For example, in the recent past, I had an interest in playing table tennis. Initially, I had difficulty in moving my hand appropriately the ball as it should. I was almost giving up, but I came through this topic and got enlightened. After weeks of training and watching videos online, I can say that I have learned the art of striking the table tennis ball, and it is only down to sheer repetition and training.
References
Walinga, J., & Stangor, C. (2016). Introduction to Psychology-UBC Edition.
Treffert, D. A., & Christensen, D. D. (2006). Inside the mind of a savant. Scientific American Mind, 17(3), 50-55.