THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF AFFECT IN LANGUAGE LEARNING
What is Neurobiology?
Neurobiology focuses on research at multiple levels, spanning from molecular to integrative aspects of the central nervous system.
As a result, the scope of neuroscience has broadened to include different approaches used to study the molecular, developmental, structural, functional, evolutionary, computational, and medical aspects of the nervous system.
Using such techniques as PET(1) and MRI(2), some connections have been made between affectivity and mental/ emotional processing in general, as well as second language acquisition in particular.
John Schumann’ s work in this area has singled out one section of the temporal lobes of the human brain, the amygdala, as a major player in the relationship of affect to language learning.
The Function of Amygdala in Language Learning
Amygdala is one of the brain centres that controls emotions and stimulations from aggression to sexuality. Due to its function of control, it takes part in forming long term memory which is very important in second language learning. Losing function of amygdala in human brain might lead to some distortions as depression and anxiety.
“ In other words, when a teacher in foreign language class suddenly asks you to perform something that is, let’s say, too complex, your reaction of fear and anxiety means that amygdale has sent neutral signals to the rest of the brain indicating that stimulus is too novel, unpleasant, un manageable at that moment.”
(H. Dougles Brown)
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SUSTAINED DEEP LEARNING (SDL)
Schumann and Wood (2004) provided further explanation of the neurobiological bases of motivation as Sustained Deep Learning (SDL), the kind of learning that requires an extended period of time to achieve
Deep learning
Deep learning is an approach and an attitude to learning, where the learner uses higher-order cognitive skills such as the ability to analyse, synthesize, solve problems, and thinks meta-cognitively in order to construct long-term understanding. It involves the critical analysis of new ideas, linking them to already known concepts, and principles so that this understanding can be used for problem solving in new, unfamiliar contexts. Deep learning entails a sustained, substantial, and positive influence on the way students act, think, or feel.
Deep Learning VS. Surface Learning
DEEP LEARNING | SURFACE LEARNING |
Knowledge is constructed. | Knowledge is received. |
Learning by integrating new knowledge with existing knowledge. | Knowledge is transmitted from the teacher to the student. |
Search for meanings. | Search for facts. |
Intrinsic motivation | Extrinsic motivation. |
Discovery | Coverage |
Focus on what the student does | Focus on what the teacher does |
PERSONALITY TYPES AND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
Among lots of tests and questionnaires that are designed to tell you more about yourself is the widely popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, commonly referred to as the “Myers-Briggs Test.”
The Myers-Briggs typology model regards personality type as similar to left or right handedness: individuals are either born with, or develop, certain preferred ways of thinking and acting. The MBTI sorts some of these psychological differences into four opposite pairs, or dichotomies, with a resulting 16 possible psychological types. None of these types are "better" or "worse"; however, Briggs and Myers theorized that individuals naturally prefer one overall combination of type differences. In the same way that writing with the left hand is hard work for a right-hander, so people tend to find using their opposite psychological preferences more difficult, even if they can become more proficient with practice and development.
The 16 types are typically referred to by an abbreviation of four letters—the initial letters of each of their four type preferences (except in the case of iNtuition, which uses the abbreviation N to distinguish it from Introversion).
The four pairs of preferences or dichotomies are shown in the table to the below.
The four pairs of preferences or dichotomies are shown in the table to the below.
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The 16 MBTI PERSONAL TYPES |
ISTJ Quiet, serious, earn success by thoroughness and dependability. Practical, matter-of-fact, realistic, and responsible. Decide logically what should be done and work toward it steadily, regardless of distractions. Take pleasure in making everything orderly and organized – their work, their home, their life. Value traditions and loyalty |
ISFJ Quiet, friendly, responsible, and conscientious. Committed and steady in meeting their obligations. Thorough, painstaking, and accurate. Loyal, considerate, notice and remember specifics about people who are important to them, concerned with how others feel. Strive to create an orderly and harmonious environment at work and at home. |
INFJ Seek meaning and connection in ideas, relationships, and material possessions. Want to understand what motivates people and are insightful about others. Conscientious and committed to their firm values. Develop a clear vision about how best to serve the common good. Organized and decisive in implementing their vision. |
INTJ Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. Quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory perspectives. When committed, organize a job and carry it through. Skeptical and independent, have high standards of competence and performance – for themselves and others. |
ISTP Tolerant and flexible, quiet observers until a problem appears, then act quickly to find workable solutions. Analyze what makes things work and readily get through large amounts of data to isolate the core of practical problems. Interested in cause and effect, organize facts using logical principles, value efficiency. |
ISFP Quiet, friendly, sensitive, and kind. Enjoy the present moment, what’s going on around them. Like to have their own space and to work within their own time frame. Loyal and committed to their values and to people who are important to them. Dislike disagreements and conflicts, do not force their opinions or values on others. |
INFP Idealistic, loyal to their values and to people who are important to them. Want an external life that is congruent with their values. Curious, quick to see possibilities, can be catalysts for implementing ideas. Seek to understand people and to help them fulfill their potential. Adaptable, flexible, and accepting unless a value is threatened. |
INTP Seek to develop logical explanations for everything that interests them. Theoretical and abstract, interested more in ideas than in social interaction. Quiet, contained, flexible, and adaptable. Have unusual ability to focus in depth to solve problems in their area of interest |
ESTP Flexible and tolerant, they take a pragmatic approach focused immediate results. Theories and conceptual explanations bore them – they want to act energetically to solve the problem. Focus on the here-and-now, spontaneous, enjoy each moment that they can be active with others. |
ESFP Outgoing, friendly, and accepting. Exuberant lovers of life, people, and material comforts. Enjoy working with others to make things happen. Bring common sense and a realistic approach to their work, and make work fun. Flexible and spontaneous, adapt readily to new people and environments. Learn best by trying a new skill with other people. |
ENFP Warmly enthusiastic and imaginative. See life as full of possibilities. Make connections between events and information very quickly, and confidently proceed based on the patterns they see. Want a lot of affirmation from others, and readily give appreciation and support. |
ENTP Quick, ingenious, stimulating, alert, and outspoken. Resourceful in solving new and challenging problems. Adept at generating conceptual possibilities and then analyzing them strategically. Good at reading other people. Bored by routine, will seldom do the same thing the same way, apt to turn to one new interest after another |
ESTJ Practical, realistic, matter-of-fact. Decisive, quickly move to implement decisions. Organize projects and people to get things done, focus on getting results in the most efficient way possible. Take care of routine details. Have a clear set of logical standards, systematically follow them and want others to also. Forceful in implementing their plans. |
ESFJ Warmhearted, conscientious, and cooperative. Want harmony in their environment, work with determination to establish it. Like to work with others to complete tasks accurately and on time. Loyal, follow through even in small matters. Notice what others need in their day-by-day lives and try to provide it. Want to be appreciated for who they are and for what they contribute. |
ENFJ Warm, empathetic, responsive, and responsible. Highly attuned to the emotions, needs, and motivations of others. Find potential in everyone, want to help others fulfill their potential. May act as catalysts for individual and group growth. Loyal, responsive to praise and criticism. |
ENTJ Frank, decisive, assume leadership readily. Quickly see illogical and inefficient procedures and policies, develop and implement comprehensive systems to solve organizational problems. Enjoy long-term planning and goal setting. Usually well informed, well read, enjoy expanding their knowledge and passing it on to others. Forceful in presenting their ideas |
(Excerpted from Introduction to Type by Isabel Briggs Myers published by CPP. Inc)
(1) PET: PET is a nuclear medicine imaging technique which produces a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body
(2) MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI), is primarily a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structure and limited function of the body.
