Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The first activating brain systems respond to increasing demands from
the outside world. In general, all described processes within risk sensitiv-
ity and risk understanding can have an activating effect. Besides that, all
the triggers of which are known to evoke stress, like deadlines or huge
amounts of work, also increase brain activity. You can recognize this
principle in people who suffer from burnout. One of the first symptoms
of suffering from insomnia, poor sleep, is because the brain is activated so
much that it is difficult to reach the lower activity levels needed for sleep.
Case 1
In this case, the brain of the mechanic was activated at the very
moment gas and fluid escaped from the pipe. The operator activated
as soon as he saw the oil squirting around, and the other mechanic as
soon as he heard the operator shouting.
Case 2
The driver will be activated as soon as his risk understanding tells him
that there might be a problem with a car directly in front of him.
A dynamic activation system (both increase and decrease) can be
recognized in several interactions between people or with stimuli in the
environment. The basic principle is called the frequency following
response (Galbraith et al., 1995, Krishnan, 2004). This principle can be
illustrated by the effect music can have on people. If we listen to music
by Bach (with a rhythm of 60 beats per minute), we feel a different sen-
sation than when we listen to Tiësto
s trance music (with a rhythm of
180 beats per minute). These rhythms are within the possible range of
the heartbeat, and our brain has a tendency to follow that frequency.
Bach makes us relaxed; Tiësto invites us to dance. Chandler (2011)
proves that if we speed up the process of decision making, the brain
comes in a faster mode, which increases the readiness to take risks.
The frequency following response shows that, to some extent, we
adapt activity levels from our environment. It is much more exciting to
watch a sports game together in a stadium compared to watching that
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