How the Brain Works The Facts Visually Explained by DK (z-lib.org)

MEMORY, LEARNING, AND THINKING

Creativity 154 155

Recruits other

networks based

on information

received

Regions activated

to maintain

attention on

particular task

WHY DO IDEAS

OFTEN FLOW WHEN

WE ARE NOT FOCUSED

ON A TASK?

The brain is particularly good

at reconfiguring and

connecting information

when it is not in a task-

orientated mode.

SA

LI

EN

CE

N

ET

W

OR

K

C

EN

T

R

AL

E

XE

CU

TIV

E^ N

ETWORK

Switching

The salience network

detects sensory information to

determine whether the central

executive network should engage.

For example, when hearing your

name while daydreaming, the

salience network triggers a switch.

2

Focusing

The central executive network

engages the conscious brain to think

and maintain focus on a task. Studies

have shown that the default mode

network is reengaged within a fraction

of a second of the task being completed.

3

In one study, jazz musicians

were asked to play the piano

while in an fMRI machine.

Their brain activity was

recorded as they switched

from playing memorized

music to improvised jazz. The

results showed that brain

areas responsible for the

evaluation of our own actions

and inhibition were less active

during improvisation.

THE BRAIN ON JAZZ

Activity in the lateral

prefrontal cortex

Deactivation in lateral

prefrontal cortex

MEMORIZED MUSIC IMPROVISED MUSIC

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