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Psychology
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The Science of Happiness: Psychology Essay

Essay Instructions:

Less than two decades ago, research in the field of neuroscience indicated that the brain became a static organ as people entered adulthood. We now know this is not true (as will you when you read The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge). Given these findings, an important perspective for all of us who wish to thrive is not simply tolerating but embracing our neutral plasticity - our ability to change. Consider some area in your life that you would like to change. Describe why this change is important to your overall wellbeing. Then discuss 3-5 findings in this book that could help you think about implementing that change.

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The Science of Happiness
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The Science of Happiness
Human beings have, for long, been known to wire experiences that seek pleasure and avoid those that cause pain. Therefore, humans do not only seek ways to survive but also on how to make them feel happy. Scientists have proved that this is possible because the human brain has been designed to release chemicals that make them feel good. The nerve fibers release some multiple neurotransmitters or substances. The degree and durability of happiness vary from one person to the other. For instance, dopamine and serotonin vary from one person to another, so some feel less happy than others. However, research on the science of the brain has proven that it is not only these neurological chemicals that make people happy (Doidge, 2007). According to brain scientists of the 1970s, the brain changes its structure every time it performs a new task or activity such that it becomes suited to the task at hand. Therefore, the brain performs its functions in a neuroplasticity manner in every task it performs. The purpose of this paper is to intuitively explore the role of the brain's neuroplasticity in human beings. 
Although scientists hail neuroplasticity to understand one's brain-behavior, it does not always lead to happiness. Some changes in brain plasticity can block other changes from happening. Therefore, the human brain is too complex to elicit both positive and negative effects (Doidge, 2007). For instance, some childhood experiences encoded in the mind can cause someone to behave in a certain way during her adult life. The reason is that particular childhood experiences have conditioned the mind. As Doidge (2007) puts it, the human mind operates like a machine made up of parts. Each part of the brain performs a specific function. The localization of these parts makes the brain operate like a machine because all these parts are wired together. When one of these parts is damaged then, the brain activity is interrupted. However, a change can occur if the mind operates only if it can be conditioned to change but through a closely monitored exercise. 
Through redesigning the brain maps, humans' ability to improve their brain's perception and thinking can happen. For instance, through carrying out mental tasks, the brain can change its processing ability. Moreover, the brain should be allowed to exercise an activity that it can handle. Older people cannot perform tasks that require more mental activity like computer games or fast for words exercises for young people (Doidge, 2007). However, they can handle listening exercises and speech sounds that have been designed for older people. This can help them make their minds less rigid and thus allowing them to learn a new task. Therefore, the most important aspect of brain plasticity is highly determinant of age, sex, occupation, among other factors (Doidge, 2007). It should be noted that the brain cannot allow being plastic if the cause of its rigidity is not identified. Therefore, human life issues like anger, anxiety, love, and sex cannot be changed without identifying the situation that causes diversion of one's behavior. 
I have had several issues that I have always wan...
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