Why would someone put a dead salmon in an MRI and then expose it to external stimuli? The Depth of Cognition.

A person is intelligent to the extent they challenge their knowledge. Thanks to neuroplasticity, the brain becomes smarter the more we "train" it.

What is trending now is that our opinion must become a universal opinion, that our attitudes must become universal attitudes, but rarely, in doing so, is the depth of personal cognition considered.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a non-invasive examination used to map brain activity. This technology allows for the identification of brain regions active during specific tasks or the processing of various stimuli.

It primarily (though not exclusively) monitors changes in blood flow that occur when active brain areas require more oxygen and nutrients to perform tasks. fMRI can detect these changes in blood flow and use them as an indicator of brain activity.

While a person lies in an fMRI, they are exposed to various stimuli while the fMRI records changes in cerebral blood flow during the performance of these tasks or exposure to stimuli.

fMRI is used in many brain studies, including research related to cognitive functions, emotions, sensory processes, and many others. It is also used in clinical diagnostics to detect brain abnormalities, such as tumors, hemorrhages, and other changes in blood flow.

Human Cognition and its Depth

This refers to the cognitive processes that occur in the human brain, from perception, attention, memory, thinking, reasoning, decision-making... Cognitive processes include how people process information, from visual to auditory, and transform and store it in memory.

The depth of human cognition is described as a layered structure of human thought that extends through different levels of information processing.

At the lowest level are so-called sensory data obtained through the senses, while at the highest level are various abstract concepts and complex thought processes. In the middle are so-called higher cognitive processes such as attention, perception, memory, thinking, reasoning…

The depth of human cognition encompasses the ability for abstract thinking, which implies creating abstract concepts and ideas not based on concrete experiences. This ability allows people to think about the future, predict the consequences of their actions, and solve problems not based on real-world situations.

Cognition is studied by (cognitive) psychologists.

Dead Salmon in an MRI

Dr. Craig Bennett is a neuropsychologist and researcher who became known for his study investigating how the human brain reacts to external stimuli. In his study, which became known as “The Dead Salmon Study,” Bennett used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor the brain activity of a dead salmon.

Dr. Bennett placed a dead salmon in a functional MRI while showing it images of people with different facial expressions/emotions 🙂 The MRI scan showed increased activity in the spinal cord (part of the central nervous system) and the lower brain. Does this lead us to paranormal activities? 🙂 Of course not. The problem was in how the MRI software analyzed the data.

Although the study seemed like a joke, it was a very serious attempt to show how many studies using fMRI are unreliable due to methodological irregularities. Bennett wanted to emphasize that when using fMRI devices, many factors must be considered, including the statistical methods used for data analysis.

Even though the software accompanying the functional MRI used a statistical method designed to reduce the risk of false positives when analyzing large amounts of data, that is precisely what happened.

Dr. Craig Bennett reached these conclusions primarily thanks to the depth of his cognition.

Developing and Deepening Cognition

Yes, cognition can be developed and deepened through various forms of mental stimulation and practice.

Design thinking, strategic thinking, and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® can be very successfully combined to create a powerful approach to problem-solving and strategy development that is highly creative, collaborative, and effective. Such an approach can help companies engage target groups, uncover different perspectives, and develop innovative solutions for even the most complex challenges. By integrating these three methodologies, companies can create a unique and comprehensive approach to strategic management and planning that can foster success and growth.

The neuroplasticity of the brain will ensure this remains permanent, along with the depth of cognition.

And finally, the ChatGPT homepage states: "Allows user to provide follow-up corrections."

Why? Because it relies on the depth of our cognition to increase its own depth 🙂