EMM Introduction: The Goal

Many have stated that our brains are the most efficient computational devices known to man, strong enough to process and store as much information as the most advanced computers, but compact enough to fit inside our heads.  

Though this may be accurate, comparing the human brain to a computer does not do it justice.  

If we define the mind as the sum of all brain functions, a huge part of it acts more like a compass than a computer, guiding us in our actions and informing our decisions.  Maybe the comparison to computers comes quite easily, knowing the difficulties scientists have faced when constructing a more complete picture of the mind, one which includes the more hidden parts, or subconscious.

Why is the subconscious hard to analyze?  Because of its latency (the more dormant the subject matter, the more susceptible it is to error when it is thoroughly scrutinized).  

To mitigate this issue, the Emotional Memory Model (EMM) intends to map out the human subconscious with the goal of creating a bridge between the objective and subjective understandings our mind.  First, the project will pull from established theories of neuroscience and psychology and build an approximate model of the mind, using triangulation and deductive methods.  After condensing the framework down into a comprehensive mind map, it will then discuss the use of the model in various context, including psychotherapy, brain training, and education.

About Me

Working as a tutor for the past five years, I have noticed two dominate aspects of my personality. First, I receive tremendous joy from explaining complex concepts, concisely and effectively. When my clients are panicked and have very little time to learn and practice the material, I enjoy watching their anxiety subside as I work with them. Secondly, I constantly look for new ways to improve and train my brain, in the hopes that I can help others do the same.  So, since I basically consider myself a life-long student of neuroscience,  education, and psychology, any discussion about me begins with my passion for learning more about my mind and the minds of others.

Within the context of learning (e.g. new skills, new information, new life experiences), I believe that:

What we learn is as important as how we learn it
We learn best when we stay grounded within our own individual psyches
Vigorous learning requires vigorous brain training

Putting it all together, the science of the mind rewards those who chose to study it. The more we know how our minds function, the better able we are in regulating them. The more we regulate them, the less time we spend in a mental funk and the more time we have to study our minds.  In others words, mental learning and emotional regulation reinforce each other, ONLY if the learning is psychologically centered.

Over the past year, I have created the Emotional Memory Model (EMM) to help facilitate mental development. Quite simply, it gives me a working knowledge of the human psyche, allowing me to organize my thoughts and emotions more easily and effectively. My hope is that others will find it useful.