Brain Hackers
Association
A "hacker" finds backdoors and vulnerabilities they can exploit to their advantage. A Brain Hacker does the same by knowing the hidden ways the brain operates.
Old Modules
The materials below may be used in whole or in part and distributed for non-commercial purposes.
Brain Hackers Introduction (ppt) - explains a "Brain Hacker" and presents Brain Hackers Principles, suggested for first meeting and may be supplemented with details for a specific program.
Brain Function (ppt) - introduces areas on the surface of the brain with specific functions, and presents an exercise that demonstrates how areas of the brain work together and what happens when there is lose of function due to brain injury or disease.
Observing Brain Activity (ppt) - provides detailed instructions and suggested activities for using the Emotiv Epoch EEG to observe brain activity, including a discussion of different frequency bands of EEG activity and associated cognitive functions.
Simple Optical Illusions (ppt) - presents the Simultaneous Contrast and Ponzo Illusions and provides instructions for how to create your own version of each illusion.
Personality (ppt) - introduces personality and leads students in taking and interpreting the results of the Big Five Personality test, and provides activities including developing a personality profile and appreciating personality differences within the group.
Personality Score Sheet (doc) - used with Personality module to record scores on each personality dimension of the Big Five Personality test.
Personality Worksheet (doc) - used with Personality module to record observations in constructing a personality profile of a fictional character.
Unconscious Brain (ppt) - introduces the distinction between conscious and unconscious brain processes and discusses techniques used by advertisers to appeal to either the conscious or unconscious brain.
How Do Advertisers Do It? Worksheet (doc) - used with Unconscious Brain module to record observations as watch television commercials and identify techniques used by advertisers to appeal to conscious and unconscious brain processes.
Depth Perception (ppt) - discusses how the brain uses monocular and binocular cues to create the perception of three dimensions and applies this knowledge to create sidewalk illusions where a drawing on a two-dimensional surface appears to be three-dimensional.
How Well Do You Know Yourself? (doc) - Exercise recommended for the first week where participants answer a series of questions about current personal activities and then, several months later test themselves to demonstrate how fluid memory for life events can be.
Music and the Brain (ppt) - illustrates how the effects of music on the brain provide insight into how the brain operates during everyday life and includes an exercise in which experiment with creating music with different effects on the brain.
Girl Brain - Boy Brain (ppt) - summarizes the brain and behavioral differences between girls and boys, with an emphasis on neurohormonal and neural functional differences, while also covering insights from brain and behavior science concerning courtship and romance.
Stories and the Brain (ppt) - considers brain and behavior research that provides insights into the comprehension and memory for stories, and provides exercises to apply this knowledge to create stories that effectively communicate and engage and audience.
Cognitive Biases (doc) - supplementary materials for exercise in the Stories and the Brain module, consisting of a list and description of common cognitive biases that lead to misunderstandings and flawed decision making.
Mastering Memory (ppt) - presents the different forms of memory, demonstrates factors that interfere with memory and provides tips for improving memory skills.