Have you ever come across a new word that just stuck with you? In Icelandic, if someone is exceptionally wise, they are called “vitur,” which means they possess a lot of “vit” or sense. Conversely, someone lacking wisdom is referred to as “vitleysingur,” meaning they are without “vit” or wit.
Recent research has shown that learning new words activates the same area of the brain that lights up during pleasurable activities, such as enjoying a delicious piece of cake or watching your favorite band perform live. In a study, participants were given two tasks: learning new words and participating in a gambling activity. Functional MRI scans revealed that the ventral striatum, a crucial brain region associated with reward and motivation, was active during both tasks. This makes sense because communicating and connecting with others is inherently rewarding.
Throughout human evolution, our drive to acquire language skills has been closely linked to this reward system. This connection suggests that our ancestors were motivated to learn and use language because it was beneficial for survival and social interaction. As I explore the stunning landscapes of Iceland, a geologically young country, I find myself frequently describing the scenery as “mind-blowing.” But what does that term really mean?
The Oxford Dictionary defines “mind-blowing” as something “overwhelmingly impressive,” while the Free Dictionary describes it as “intensely affecting your emotions.” The Urban Dictionary adds that it’s something so astonishing that it leaves you shocked. The emotional component is significant because emotions play a crucial role in our learning process. Research indicates that we learn most effectively when we are in a state of “relaxed alertness,” where we are neither too stressed nor completely disengaged.
When you watch an engaging video on YouTube, you are likely in a comfortable yet challenged state, which is ideal for learning. This environment fosters feelings of awe and curiosity, making it more likely for you to describe something as “mind-blowing.” This emotional engagement is key to the learning process.
When we encounter fascinating facts or intriguing information, we activate the same reward region in our brain as when we learn new words. This positive reinforcement makes us feel good about learning and encourages us to seek out more knowledge. It’s a cycle of curiosity and reward that can be quite addictive. Imagine if researchers placed participants in an fMRI machine while they watched an educational video from Vsauce—it would be fascinating to see the brain’s response.
Acquiring new knowledge and sharing it with others is a defining characteristic of humanity. While other animals learn new things, humans uniquely record and communicate knowledge verbally. This suggests that curiosity is not only contagious but also deeply ingrained in our nature. Learning new words and surprising facts activates the reward areas of our brain, making the experience truly “mind-blowing.”
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, and let me know if you’ve experienced any “vitur” moments during this exploration. I’ll be back next Thursday with another insightful episode.
Choose a language you are not familiar with and find five new words. Research their meanings and origins. Share your findings with the class and discuss how learning these words made you feel. Reflect on whether you experienced any “mind-blowing” moments during this activity.
Create a presentation explaining how the brain’s reward system is activated during learning. Use examples from the article, such as learning new words or engaging with educational content. Present your findings to your peers and discuss the implications for educational practices.
Keep a journal for a week, documenting moments when you felt “mind-blown” by new information or experiences. Reflect on the emotional states you were in and how they affected your learning process. Share your insights with the class and discuss the role of emotions in effective learning.
Design a language game that incorporates new vocabulary and challenges players to use words in creative ways. Test the game with your classmates and observe how it influences their engagement and motivation to learn. Discuss the results and the potential for games in language education.
Participate in a debate on the topic: “Curiosity is the most important driver of human progress.” Use examples from the article and your own experiences to support your arguments. Engage with opposing views and explore how curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge shape our world.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Repeat after me: “vitur.” In Icelandic, when someone is very wise, you say that person is “vitur.” It means they have a lot of “vit” or sense. The opposite of that, when someone isn’t wise at all, is “vitleysingur.” It means that person doesn’t have any “vit,” essentially witless or “vit”-less.
A recent study found that learning new words activates the same brain region that’s active when you engage in pleasurable activities, like eating cake or seeing your favorite band perform. I hope you found “vitleysingur” fascinating. In this study, researchers gave participants two tasks: one was learning new words and the other was a gambling task. fMRI scans showed that the ventral striatum, a key area involved in reward and motivation, was active in both tasks. It kind of makes sense because communicating with people gives us pleasure.
Research suggests that through human evolution, we were motivated to acquire linguistic skills and learn language because it’s tied to this reward system. As you can see, I’m in Iceland. It’s a geologically young country, so the landscapes here have been incredible. We describe things as mind-blowing all the time, but what does it actually mean? The Oxford Dictionary defines mind-blowing as something “overwhelmingly impressive,” while the Free Dictionary describes it as “something intensely affecting your emotions.” The Urban Dictionary defines it as “something so mind-boggling you’re shocked senseless.”
The emotional aspect is interesting because we need emotion to engage in our learning cycle. Research suggests that we learn best when we’re in a state of “relaxed alertness.” We’re not too aroused and we’re not totally disengaged. When you watch a video on YouTube, chances are you’re comfortable and challenged. Learning happens best when you’re in this mood and experience awe and curiosity. Perhaps that’s why you’re more likely to comment on something and say it’s “mind-blowing” than in real life.
I have another idea: when we learn interesting bits of information and awesome facts, we activate that same reward region of our brain as when we learn new words. You feel good because you’ve learned something cool and you want to learn more. It’s the mind-blown cycle. If only researchers would put participants in an fMRI machine and let them watch a video from Vsauce. I’ve been wondering the same thing.
Like personal communication and language, acquiring new knowledge is what defines us as humans. Sure, other animals learn new things too, but we record it and share it verbally. All of this suggests that curiosity is contagious and it can be quite addictive. Learning new words activates that reward area of our brain. And perhaps surprising new bits—or “vits”—of information do too. It’s kind of… mind-blowing.
Let me know what you think in the comments, and if you’ve experienced some “vitur” during this video. I’ll be back next Thursday for another insightful episode.
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This version maintains the original content while removing any informal or potentially distracting elements.
Learning – The process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences. – University students often engage in learning through lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities to deepen their understanding of psychological theories.
Emotion – A complex psychological state that involves a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response. – Understanding the role of emotion in decision-making is a crucial aspect of studying psychology.
Curiosity – A strong desire to know or learn something, often driving exploration and discovery. – Curiosity about human behavior can lead students to pursue advanced studies in psychology.
Knowledge – Information, understanding, or skill that one gets from experience or education. – The knowledge gained from psychological research can be applied to improve mental health treatments.
Language – A system of communication used by a particular community or country. – Language development is a key area of study in cognitive psychology, focusing on how individuals acquire and use language.
Reward – A positive reinforcement that encourages a particular behavior or action. – In psychology, the concept of reward is often studied in the context of motivation and behavior modification.
Experience – The knowledge or skill acquired by a period of practical involvement in an activity or exposure to events. – Clinical experience is essential for psychology students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
Psychology – The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. – Psychology explores various aspects of human behavior, from cognitive processes to emotional responses.
Words – Units of language that convey meaning and can be spoken or written. – The choice of words can significantly impact the effectiveness of communication in therapeutic settings.
Engagement – The act of being involved or participating in something, often leading to a deeper understanding or connection. – Student engagement in interactive psychology seminars can enhance learning outcomes and retention of information.
