Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that it is said ‘Humans use 10 percent of their brain,’ said, “No. Humans can use every capacity of their brain. There's no such thing as 10 percent. There is tremendous capacity in the human brain. One can use all of it, or none of it.”
Emphasizing the importance of mental flexibility, Tarhan stressed that stubbornness is what prevents people from engaging in efforts to develop mental flexibility. Tarhan also noted that individuals with flexible thinking do not get Alzheimer's, stating, “Stubbornness, rigidity of thought… People with rigid thinking act with prejudices. They become status quo-oriented. Being status quo-oriented and stubbornness are the most important enemies of one's mental flexibility.”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the topic of mental flexibility.
Those without mental flexibility fall into repetition…
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that mental flexibility refers to the ability to adapt to new situations, saying, “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 falls under mental flexibility. Developing new learning methods also falls under mental flexibility. Those with mental flexibility succeed when they get married, when they encounter something new, or when they start a new job. Those without mental flexibility, on the other hand, repeat the same things.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that the trial and error method is emphasized in people's learning processes. He said that in this model, a person who makes a mistake usually learns not to make the same mistake a second time, but it is difficult not to repeat the same mistake even once throughout life. Therefore, a person's life would not be enough to learn everything through trial and error.
“Individuals without mental flexibility make the same mistake more than once…”
At this point, Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that intelligent people benefit from their experiences. He explained that individuals without mental flexibility make the same mistake multiple times, but those with mental flexibility, when faced with a problem, quickly generate solutions by scanning their past experiences and making predictions about the future.
“The human mind consists of complex processes that operate similarly to computer software”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that mental processes are complex processes in which the human mind operates similarly to computer software, and that these can be examined in three main categories: innate abilities, learned abilities, and developed abilities.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan explained that innate abilities are the genetic and natural talents a person possesses at birth, and these abilities form the basis of mental processes, functioning similarly to a computer's fixed program. He added, “Learned abilities, on the other hand, are the knowledge and skills a person acquires throughout life. This information comes from factors such as family, school, experiences, and environmental interactions. Learned abilities increase a person's mental capacity and allow for its development. Developed abilities are the advancement of learned knowledge and skills to a higher level.”
Memory's six loyal guards; 5W1H…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that mental flexibility skills are acquired from childhood, and for this, one must have an open mind. Referring to the 5W1H rule used by communicators and known as memory's six loyal guards, he explained, “This means multi-dimensional thinking. Who said it, what was said, where was it said, when was it said, how was it said… This is called six-dimensional thinking. When information comes in, the brain uses those six networks. That information is recorded in the brain as permanent knowledge. In such situations, just recording is not enough. Later, it needs to be explained, discussed, and linked. An intelligent person is someone who can successfully establish correct connections between events. This is a linking skill. It is one of the mental skills. When you link an event with something else, you can see and grasp what no one else has heard or seen. You bring different perspectives, think with different options, which means you engage in multi-dimensional thinking.”
Humans can use the brain's full capacity…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that some say ‘Humans use 10 percent of their brain,’ said, “No. Humans can always use every capacity of their brain. That's an urban legend. There's no such thing as 10 percent. There is tremendous capacity in the human brain. One can use all of it, or none of it. One day, Einstein saw a group of young people having fun. They weren't thinking, just enjoying themselves. He said, ‘These people don't need a big brain; a spinal cord is enough.’ This is about using the brain. We have been given a device like the brain from creation. We have been given incredible free will. We have been given a search for meaning, which no other living creature has. We have been given the ability to question. Questioning the past for the future, questioning existence… While doing all this, there is the ability to adapt to new situations. There is continuous development. Accepting new information, being open to learning. Being able to find solutions to problems. This is something that develops our brain. Therefore, if we push our brain to solve a problem instead of escaping from it, flexible thinking develops.”
Openness to criticism is an important part of developing flexible thinking
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that developing flexible thinking is closely related to the ability to cope with difficulties and find new solutions. He expressed that individuals who avoid difficulties and prefer ease, as well as those raised in cultures of obedience, often fail to develop their mental skills and remain in a managed position, which hinders the development of new ideas and discoveries.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that being open to criticism is an important part of developing flexible thinking, adding, “Criticism allows people to see and correct their mistakes. Those who are closed off to criticism may find it difficult to adapt to new situations and may miss opportunities for growth despite their successes.”