brain rules

12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home, and school

by John Medina

No cover — John Medina: brain rules (Paperback, 2008, pear press)

Paperback, 308 pages

Published Oct. 19, 2008 by pear press.

ISBN:: 978-0-9797777-4-5

(10 reviews)

Most of us have no idea what's really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know—such as the brain's need for physical activity to work at its best.How do we learn? What exactly do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multi-tasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget—and so important to repeat new knowledge? Is it true that men and women have different brains?In Brain Rules, molecular biologist John Medina shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children and the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a Brain Rule—what scientists know for sure about how our brains work—and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives. You will discover how:Exercise improves cognitionEvery brain is wired differentlyWe are designed never to stop learning and …

4 editions

lijadora reviewed Brain Rules by John Medina

Review of 'Brain Rules' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

A nice introductory overview. If you’ve read into one of the 12 areas the author touches it’s likely there’s not much news for you (although it helps cement remembering stuff in that area).

Did learn a few things - like brains are physically different between people (even twins) as they are shaped over time. Or that the male and female brains differ significantly.

I liked the clear separation of research backed facts and of speculation/ further ideas.

Eduardo Santiago reviewed brain rules by John Medina

Review of 'brain rules' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Readable and memorable summation of the state of knowledge in how we think. All of this will be familiar if you've read Sapolsky, Ramachandran, Fisher, or any of the hot neuro writers. But if you haven't, you owe it to yourself to read this book. This is important material, helpful as a guide to lifelong learning.

Medina practices what he preaches. His writing is vivid, reinforced by the very "rules" he discusses. You can see and read his twelve "rules" at brainrules.net, but his book really drives them home in a useful, productive way. (I quote "rules" because this isn't rules in the "rules you should follow" kind of book; it's more "rules of thumb", or "this is our best guess as to how the brain works". Think "rules that are there whether you like it or not, and you should be aware of").