Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: "Flexible thinking protects from Alzheimer's!"

Psychiatrist Prof. Tarhan stated that it is said that ‘A person uses 10 percent of their brain' and said that "No. One can use full capacity of their brain. There is no such thing as 10 percent. There is a great capacity in the human brain. One may use it full capacity or may not use at all."

Drawing attention to the importance of mental flexibility, Tarhan emphasized that it is stubbornness that prevents people from making an effort to develop mental flexibility. Pointing out that people with flexible thinking do not have Alzheimer's, Tarhan stated that "Stubbornness, rigidity of thought... People with rigidity of thought act with prejudices. They become status quoists. Status quoism and stubbornness are the most important enemies of one's mental flexibility."

President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan evaluated the issue of mental flexibility.

Those who lack mental flexibility fall into repetition...

Stating that what is meant by mental flexibility is the ability to adapt to new situations, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said that "In fact, people have the capacity to mentally accept new information, be open to learning, think flexibly and find different solutions to problems. This is a very vital issue. For example, the ability to correct mistakes also goes into mental flexibility. Developing new learning methods also falls under mental flexibility. Those with mental flexibility are successful when they get married, meet something new, or have a new job. Those who lack mental flexibility repeat the same things."

Noting that the trial and error method is emphasized in people's learning processes, Prof. Tarhan said that in this model, a person who makes a mistake usually learns not to make the same mistake a second time; however it is difficult not to repeat the same mistake even once throughout life. Therefore, it is not enough for a person to learn everything through trial and error.

"People who lack mental flexibility make the same mistake more than once..."

Pointing out that smart people benefit from their experiences at this point, Prof. Tarhan explained that people who do not have mental flexibility make the same mistake more than once; however, when people with mental flexibility encounter a problem, they quickly produce solutions by scanning their past experiences and making predictions about the future.

"The human mind is made up of complex processes that operate in a similar way to computer software"

Pointing out that mental operations are complex processes in which the human mind functions in a similar way to computer software, Prof. Tarhan noted that these can be examined in three main categories as innate abilities, learned and developed.

Explaining that innate talents are the genetic and natural abilities that a person has at the since birth, and that these abilities form the basis of mental processes and function similar to the fixed program of the computer, Prof. Tarhan stated that "What is learned is the knowledge and skills that people acquire throughout their lives. This information comes from factors such as family, school, experiences, and environmental interactions. What is learned increases the mental capacity of the human being and allows one to improve it. What has been developed is to take the learned knowledge and skills to a higher level."

Six faithful guardians of memory: 5W1H...

Stating that mental flexibility skills are acquired from a young age and that it is necessary to have an open mind for this, Prof. Tarhan referred to the 5W1H rule, which is used by communicators and known as the six faithful guardians of memory, and Tarhan stated that "This means multi-dimensional thinking. Who said it, what did he say, where did he say it, when did he say it, how did he say it... It is called six-dimensional thinking. When information enters, the brain uses six networks. That information registers in the brain as permanent information. In such cases, it is not enough to save. Then it is necessary to explain it, it is necessary to discuss it, and it is necessary to link it. A smart person is a person who is able to make the right connections between events. It is the ability to link. It is one of the mental skills. When you link it to something else, you can see and catch what no one hears and no one sees. You have the ability to bring different perspectives, to think with different options, that is, to think multi-dimensionally."

The human being can use the full capacity of the brain...

Expressing that some people say, "One uses 10 percent of their brain," Prof. Tarhan stated that "No. A person can always use full capacity of their brain. It is an urban legend. There is no such thing as 10 percent. There is a great capacity in the human brain. A person might use full capacity or not use it at all. One day, Einstein saw a group of young people having fun. They were thinking about nothing and just having fun. He said, 'You do not need a big brain, one spinal cord is enough.' It is a matter of using the brain. We have been given a device like a brain from creation. A great free will has been given. It is given a search for meaning that is not found in any other living thing. The ability to question is given. Questioning the past into the future, questioning existence... While doing all this, a person has the ability to adapt to new situations. There is constant development. Acceptance of new information, openness to learning. Ability to find solutions to problems. It is something that develops our brains. Therefore, flexible thinking develops if we force our brains to solve that problem instead of running away from the problem."

Openness to criticism is an important part of developing flexible thinking

Stating that developing flexible thinking is closely related to the ability to cope with difficulties and find new solutions, Prof. Tarhan stated that people who avoid difficulties and prefer the easy way out, and individuals who grow up in obedience cultures, generally cannot develop their mental skills and remain in the position of being managed, which prevents them from developing new ideas and making discoveries.

Stating that being open to criticism is an important part of developing flexible thinking, Prof. Tarhan expressed that "Criticism allows people to see and correct their mistakes. Those who are closed to criticism may find it difficult to adapt to new situations and may miss opportunities to improve despite their success."

“Those who have flexible thinking do not get Alzheimer's..."

Emphasizing that stubbornness is what prevents people from trying to develop mental flexibility, Prof. Tarhan continued his remarks as follows: "Stubbornness, rigidity of thought... People with rigidity of thought act with prejudices. One acts with habits. They act with the mental comforts they have. They close themselves off against new situations. They become status quoists. Status quoism and stubbornness are the most important enemies of one's mental flexibility.

Those with a fighting spirit are more open to mental flexibility. And they use the great capacity of their brains. They can use it continuously, and they are improving it. Being open to new situations and learning new things actually means using our brain to the maximum. In other words, our brain is such an organ that there are over 100 billion cells. Between these cells, each cell has 5 thousand to 10 thousand connections in a cell. The brain produces new cells, growth factors. In people who are open to new experiences, the brain produces new stem cells. That stem cell migrates with the brain and connects elsewhere. People with flexible thinking do not get Alzheimer's. Even if they have the Alzheimer's gene, they do not have a brain because they use it. The brain works with the rule of use it or lose it. It works like a well as it draws water. To use the brain a lot, it is necessary to be open to mental flexibility and learning. It is necessary to be open to mental questioning. It is important to be open to criticism."

The feeling of hope exercises the brain...

Stating that the things that work the brain the most are the expectation of recovery and the sense of hope, Prof. Tarhan said that "People who are optimistic, have an expectation of recovery, have a high sense of hope and are open to new experiences... These are popularly known as lucky. A test is being carried out on this. They are always investigating what are the common characteristics of lucky people. First, people with a high sense of hope. The second is optimistic, people who look at things positively. And the third is people who aspire to hardship and are open to new experiences. Because of these characteristics, these people are thought to be lucky."

People who are open to innovation do not panic...

Pointing out that being open to different experiences, learning new things, gaining different perspectives and maintaining a sense of hope increases mental flexibility, Prof. Tarhan stated that mental flexibility enables overcoming automatic thoughts and negative prejudices.

Noting that increasing alpha waves, which is the best learning wave of the brain, also supports mental flexibility, Prof. Tarhan stated that "People who are open to innovation and do not panic under stress. They can be cold-blooded. Therefore, mental flexibility is also the power to change oneself. It is the ability to adapt to situations."

Status quoists cannot learn...

Pointing to the studies on how people learn best, Prof. Tarhan made the following remarks:

"Neuroscience entered a range after 1995. The brain has been explored more. It was learned that the brain produces new cells. It turned out that emotions were also a dimension of learning. In the 2000s, a psychologist named Kahneman said, ‘Man is not homo economicus but homo psychologist.’ In other words, when people make decisions, they do not make decisions only with reason. The rational actor is the psychology of man. While investing, one invests in areas they like. Appreciation, praise and a sense of trust encourage people to invest and purchase more. When investing, it is necessary to consider not only profit and loss analysis, but also the psychological needs of people. There has been a paradigm shift. This was actually something that gave mental flexibility.

Man is not a material, not a mechanical being. Man is a psychological being. People who are status quoists cannot learn. You will calculate and take risks. A person who does not take risks cannot learn new things in life. That is why it is important to be open to new experiences."

As the brain ages, it gains skills...

Making suggestions to people to improve their brains, Prof. Tarhan concluded his remarks as follows: "People should make changes in their everyday life according to their needs. It should not go the same way every day. You should not shop at the same place every day. One should not wear the same thing every day. It is important to change your habits. The brain does not age because it works every part of the brain. Our brains develop as we age, with age. Although the brain shrinks, it develops. An interesting organ. The skill in your brain increases as you get older."

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)