Arlene R. Taylor PhD

www.arlenetaylor.org

Brain References

thebrain@arlenetaylor.org

Presents

Unity in

Diversity—Scriptural Perspective

An Oxymoron Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

A figure of speech that combines contradictory

words

Jumbo shrimp (jumbo means large

while shrimp means small)

Working vacation

Good grief

Military intelligence

Unity in diversity

Unity is DesirableArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

There are no two leaves of a tree precisely alike;

neither do all minds run in the same direction—but

while this is so, there may be unity in diversity; so

it is in the design of God.

E. G. White, R & H, July 4, 1899

(first use I found of this oxymoron in print)

Every brain on this planet is different

None of us is good at everything

Often we expect others to be like us

Biblical MetaphorArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

The body is one unit—made up

of many different parts

So the body of Christ is to be one

unit—made up of many different

parts: Jews, Greeks, slave, free,

male, female . . .

—Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, Galatians 3

Many Different Parts . . .Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

It’s

complex!

Who I Am Pyramid

Foundational LayerArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Do you have an

empathizing,

systemizing, or

50:50 brain?

‘Who I Am Pyramid’

Chromosomal PatternsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Wiring DifferencesArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

—Ragini Verma PhD

Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences

2nd LayerArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Were you

born and

raised in the

Eastern or

Western

parts of this

planet?

‘Who I Am Pyramid’

East Brain-West BrainArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Cultural Neuroscience is a relatively new science

that studies how culture influences brain structure

and functions

West brains (European and

American cultures) tend to

think in a more analytical style

East brains (Chinese, Korean, Japanese

cultures) tend to think in a more holistic

style

East-West StudiesArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

West brains: Tend to

organize in a categorical

style – link a monkey with

a panda since both are mammals

East brains: Tend to organize in a

relational style – link a monkey with

a banana since monkeys eat

bananas that help to sustain life

3rd LayerArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

What is your

preferred

position on

the Extrovert-

Ambivert-

Introvert

Continuum?

‘Who I Am Pyramid’

EAI ContinuumArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Extroverts

15%-16%

Ambiverts

68%-70%

Introverts

15%-16%

Extroverts: Prefer environments with high

levels of stimulation

Introverts: Prefer environments

with low levels of stimulation

Ambiverts: Prefer environments with

with moderate amounts of stimulation

EAI ContinuumArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Extroverts

Energy drained by

under-stimulating

environments (may

become bored,

restless, sleepy)

Need frequent breaks

when trying to focus

A

m

b

i

v

e

r

t

s

Introverts

Energy drained by

over-stimulating

environments (may

become tired, sick,

and depressed)

Can focus for long

periods of time on a

topic / project

Within days of birth the extremes of

Extroversion and Introversion can usually be

recognized - Ambiversion is a label of

exclusion . . . If not E or I, then A

Extrovert Ambivert Introvert

Teamwork and EAIArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Extroverts

15-16%

Ambiverts 68-70% Introverts

15-16%

Prefer to be

in charge

of the team

Like teams and

teamwork

Prefer to be

resource

specialists

Independent

workers, star

performers,

deal makers

Independent

workers,

researchers,

and writers

4th LayerArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Which type of

sensory data

registers

most quickly

and intensely

in your brain?

‘Who I Am Pyramid’

Sensory PreferenceArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Decoding centers are in the

3rd brain layer (except for

odors that are decoded

in the 2nd brain layer)

One type of sensory data

usually registers most

quickly and intensely in

your brain

3rd Brain Layer

Population Estimates Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

20% Auditory –more females

60% Visual –more males

20% Kinesthetic –equal M and F

Humans communicate with each other and

the environment through the senses

Sensory Preference

Sensory CaveatsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

You tend to relate to others

in your sensory preference

unless you make a different choice

You tend to gravitate toward environments

that acknowledge, make provision for, and

reward your sensory preference

Which sensory system is emphasized at home,

school, church, work, America, Europe, East,

West . . . ?

Top LayerArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Which

cerebral

division

contains your

innate energy

advantage?

‘Who I Am Pyramid’

PET ScansArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Most brains are believed to

have an innate energy

advantage in one of the

four cerebral divisions

The brain uses less oxygen, glucose, and

micronutrition, and needs a shorter recovery time

when performing tasks that draw heavily on its

area of energy advantage or ‘brain lead’

(I call it a brain bent)

Richard Haier, MD

Brain Bent in one DivisionArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Prioritizing

Set and achieve goals

Make timely objective

decisions

Envisioning

Anticipate, innovate, and

make changes (humor)

Visualize and meditate

Maintaining

Supply services for

maintaining life

and run routines

and habits

Harmonizing

Build trust, connection,

peaceful foundations

Assess for and

promote harmony

Brain Bent and BehaviorsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Exhibited behaviors may not align

with the person’s innate giftedness

or Nature, but with:

Nurture – learned expectations

Brainwashing – coercion to conform and

or to perform

Often a tendency for one brain to believe that its

preferred style is ‘right for every brain,’ which can

lead to coercion / persecution

Approach to SpiritualityArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Prioritizing - Systematic

Intellectual - Analytical

Hierarchical

Goal-oriented

Drawn toward decision-

making, doctrine, theology

Envisioning - Unconventional

Intuitive - Conjectural

Meditative

Change-oriented

Drawn to innovation, variety,

big picture, new and different

Maintaining - Traditional

Organized - Conservative

Rules-oriented

Drawn to routines, rules,

rituals, memorizing, reading,

maintaining the status quo

Harmonizing - Emotional

Relational - Expressive

Experience-oriented

Drawn toward relating,

affirming, encouraging,

connecting, spirituality

Nothing is 100% Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

You always give up something to get something

Studies of problem-solving in diverse groups

versus homogeneous groups:

Homogeneous groups: didn’t get very far with

the problem-solving but rated it an enjoyable

experience

Diverse groups: got much farther with the

problem-solving but rated it a less enjoyable

experience

Paul’s RecommendationsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Stop requiring everyone to do exactly the same

things - refrain from placing a yoke on the neck

of other that neither we not our forefathers were

able to bear Apostle Paul, Acts 15

Make my joy complete by being

like-minded; having the same love,

being one in spirit and purpose

Apostle Paul, Philippians 2

Bottom LineArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

We cannot all have the

same minds or cherish the

same ideas; but one is to be

a benefit and blessing to the other

EGW, T Vol. 4, p. 128

Each individual is either

part of the problem or

part of the solution

Part of the SolutionArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

1. A personal relationship with God

2. Accept free gift of salvation daily

3. Let the Holy Spirit guide your behaviors

4. Role model Christ’s communication style

(inclusive, affirming, caring for the other

person), setting your own boundaries as

needed if the other’s behaviors warrant it

5. Promote Unity in Diversity and stop

trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit

One Spirit and PurposeArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Only when all the parts

(pyramid layers) are at

the table, will any

group and any

church be whole

and flourish

What are you doing on a daily basis to

promote ‘Unity in Diversity?’