TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING

CHAPTER THREE Lesson 1: The Human

NEURAL AND Brain is Changing the
World
SOCIAL NETWORK Lesson 2: The Individual
withing Social Network
IN HIS CHAPTER:
We will look into how adaptation
changes mental functions and
processes and also discuss how
such adaptation processes change
the social environment
Two Important Words related in this chapter

NATURE NURTURE
It is the sum of genetic characteritics It is the sum of external factors
and the other biological factors that that we encounter after
shape our personalities conception

It encompasses the environmental

It includes the genes we are born with
factors that impact who we are
and other hereditary factors that can
which includes our early childhood
impact how our personality is formed
experiences, the way we were
and influence the way that we develop
raised, our social relationships, and
from childhood through adulthood.
the surrounding culture.
Two Important Words related in this chapter
Recent studies show that nature
and nurture are partners in human
development and an interplay of
the human brain, environment, and
culture.
 Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the
Lesson 1: leomers should be able to:
Identify the factors that
THE HUMAN shape the human brain
BRAIN IS Explain the interplay of
brain and experience
CHANGING THE Examine the roles of
WORLD human brain in
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
transforming and
enhancing human
relationships
 There has been a
growing interest about
CONTEMPORARY the human brain. Many
ISSUES ON of recent findings about
HUMAN BRAIN how the brain works are
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING new and can affect the
way we view ourselves
and our capacities.
There are some popular notions
about the brain that will be either
debunked or clarified . The first
one is the statement that human
intelligence is fixed and that
intelligence is measured through
Intelligence Quotient (IQ) tests.
This test has been categorizing
people according to their mental
abilities. However, the idea that
intelligence is fixed disregards the
importance of experience.
Current discoveries about the
brain prove that intelligence
changes as an individual
learns new things. These
findings emphasize the role of
experience in shaping the
human brain. As we acquire
more skills and knowledge
through experience, our
intellectual abilities continue to
develop.
Learning happens inside the
brain. This takes place as the
brain creates neural networks
that look like spider webs.
Inside our brain are billions of
interacting neurons that form
neural connections. These
neural connections are shaped
by our exposure to social
interactions and the changing
environment.
Ongoing debates on human brain
involve the roles of emotion in
cognitive functions. These debates
assume that every rational thought is
influenced by feelings in our decision-
making. In effect, every human
thought processed by our mental and
emotional brains is expressed and
acted through our social roles. Human
actions and decisions have
implications on our social interactions
and relationships within the
social world that we inhabit.
 For many years, it was
believed that the human
brain has fixed memory,
VIEWS ON THE processing speed, and
intelligence. It was
HUMAN BRAIN
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
"hardwired," meaning it
has a permanently
connected circular
location."
It was assumed that we
are born with a set of
cognitive abilities, which
are more or less
unchanging for the rest
of our lives. If a part is
damaged, the brain could
not reorganize itself or
recover lost functions.
This view was supported
by the discoveries of
neurosurgeon Paul Broca
(1824-1980) and
neurologist Carl Wernicke
(1848-1905) about the
function of specific areas
in the brain connected
with speech development.
Damage to the area
resulted to speech
impairment.
Our brain does not only receive
information but can also rewire itself in
response to certain repeated activities
and experiences. Thus, cognitive
functions such as critical thinking,
abstract reasoning, attention, and
memory can be improved and
managed.
 The brain is composed of 80
to 100 billion neurons or nerve
cells. These neurons process
information through electrical
NEURONS AND and chemical signals. Clusters

NEURAL
of neurons that connect to
each other can be referred to

NETWORK
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
as biological neural networks,
with different networks
connecting to each other in
circuits called neural
pathways.
 Repetition creates new
neural pathways in the
brain which makes it
hardwired or permanently
connected to perform a
practiced activity. As these
pathways are created, the
brain doesn’t need to work
hard to make it happen.
 Artificial Neural Network
(ANN) is a model of
reasoning based on the
ARTIFICIAL human brain. It is a type of
artificial intelligence that
NEURAL attempts to imitate the way
the human brain works.
NETWORK
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
This model has been
proven useful in
processing, classifying, and
calculating information.
Computer scientists believe that
machines can mimic the way the
human brain process information
through the use of computer
software or electronic circuits.
Dr. Robert Hecht-Nielsen, the
inventor of one of the first
neurocomputers, defined ANN as
a system that uses
interconnecting networks in
processing information to
generate an output.
In contrast to the human brain, ANN has no gender,
culture, emotion and social experience. It operates
in a mechanistic input-process-output mode.
However, neural networks in human brains are
shaped by one's experiences which affect one's
decisions and actions, which means that human
neural networks function a more complex way. As
unique individuals, we process experience
differently because we are situated in diverse social
contexts.
 The triune brain is
made up of the
hindbrain,
THE TRIUNE midbrain, and
BRAIN cortex. It is
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
biologically and
socially structured
for learning.
 In the past, research is made up of the interests
focused on the functions of these brain regions. Focus
has now shifted from modularization to connectivity
between different brain areas. This implies that neural
networks operate in complex ways. Thus, learning to
master a particular skill involves more neural
connections between various brain regions.
It is important to note that neural connections involved
in developing a complex skill is profoundly shaped by
environmental experience.
 The brain is the social
organ of the body. It
is responsible for

SOCIAL discharging
intelligence and
BRAIN
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
emotions thus
carrying out a primary
role in our
socialization.
As humans, our innate ability to
comprehend and feel emotions at the
complex and conscious level is vital to
our social life.
The skills of thinking and feeling allow
us to adapt to the environment and to
build networks that will sustain
productive lives.
Adolescence is a critical
period for social
adaptation, as they need to
make sense of the changes
that are happening in their
lives, which involves
forming positive
relationships with family
and friends, as well as
making choices that will
enable their development
as human beings
The adolescent brain does not
only process complex
emotions. It also needs to
tackle activities that demand
higher cognitive tasks.
Adolescence is a critical
period when social
acceptance is fundamental to
development, which suggests
the importance of utilizing the
social brain in order to
achieve successful learning
 Humans are shaped by
the interplay of brain,
THE experience, and culture.

NATURE- It is not isolated from

the environment and
NURTURE the larger social system
that shapes and is
INTERPLAY
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
being shaped by the
brain.
Humans ore shaped
by the interplay of
brain, experience, and
culture. It is not
isolated from the
environment and the
larger social system
that shapes and is
being shaped by the
brain.
Understanding the human
brain transcends the nature or
nurture dichotomy and
transforms it to a nature and
nurture interplay This interplay
strongly emphasizes that
biology and culture are
mutually shaping each other.
It also offers a new insight
that the human brain is not
only biological but also social,
emotional, and cultural.
 Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the
Lesson 2: leomers should be able to:
Examine how the individual
THE forms social networks and
INDIVIDUAL is influenced by social
relationship
WITHIN SOCIAL Analyze the dynamics of

NETWORKS social networks of

individuals
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING

Asses the individual’s roles

within social networks
 In this lesson, we
will look beyond the
brain and see the
THE SOCIAL whole person as a
social self who live
SELF
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING and interact with
others in his or her
social networks.
 Social interaction is
fundamental in the
development of the social self
As individuals communicate
with others and express
attitudes and opinions, the
self absorbs and responds to
human experience and as this
process continues, we learn
social skills that will allow us
to play our roles in the
society.
 Highly structured social
networks sharing
common agendas and
SOCIAL missions and a central
NETWORKS AS part of any society are
SOCIAL called institutions.
Examples of these are
INSTITUTIONS
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
governments, hospitals,
schools, legal systems,
businesses, and religions.
 Two Views about Institutions
Conservative View
This view sees institutions as
natural by-products of human
nature.
For example, the institution of
hospitals is formed from activities of
humans and naturally benefits them.
Progressive View
This view takes the standpoint that
institutions are artificial creations
that need to be redesigned if
institutions are no longer
beneficial to the community.
For example, redesigning democratic
institutions can strengthen democratic
governance and ensure that government is
more responsive to the needs and
aspirations of all citizens.
Social network is made up
of individuals that interact
within a social group.
They are formed by social
connections and can be
personal or work related.
Society is in fact formed by
diverse social networks as
it form a variety and
complexity of such social
relationship
 Social scientists
developed Social
Network Analysis (SNA)
SOCIAL to study kinship

NETWORK patterns, relational

dynamics and structures
ANALYSIS
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
in the communities,
workplace, and other
social networks in local
and international arena.
The purpose of SNA is to understand the structure of
the group and its impact to the members' behavior
and perceptions. (Howell and Stambaugh, 2011).
It shows how people communicate with one another
and how people use communication to share their
knowedge.
It helps us understand how knowledge is constructed
and communicated in a society. It also maps the
relationship of people within a given social network
revealing patterns and dynamics of their interaction.
An example of SNA
 A sociogram is a visual
representation that allows us to
analyze the strength of our
relationship within a small
SOCIOGRAM network. While a social map
provides greater understanding
AND THE on how social networks expand
and connect to other networks
SOCIAL MAP
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
or institutions in a society and
also helps us determine how
broad the extent of our
relationship within a
community.
Through the Internet, social media platforms such
as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and
other networking sites, one would find it easier to
facilitate social mapping aside from spreading
information, and establishing connections with
others. A social map then becomes a guide or
instrument in the planning process, implementing
the needed strategies and evaluating results of
actions.
 Local happenings are
influenced by events
happening in distant
RANK, STATUS, parts of the world and
AND ROLE vice versa, meanwhile,
WITHIN SOCIAL central to globalization
is the proliferation of
NETWORKS
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
social networks
connecting people in all
places in the world.
Human society is a group of
people interacting and living
together. It is defined by a
shared language, custom,
tradition, and geography.
Human interdependence
within a social network
allows individuals to hold
social positions and perform
social roles to fulfill their
membership in society.
Statuses are performed
at a given time and can
change over time
throughout an
individual's life
Every individual
occupies a status which
is performed through a
corresponding duty or
obligation called a role
Rank commonly refers to
the capacity to access
power and resources.
Rank goes with one's
status: it may be ascribed
or achieved
Examples people who
possess special abilities,
intelligence, and skills may
achieve a rank through
action and achievement.,
Social statutes and roles are at
the core of social relationships.
Understanding how the clusters of
statuses and roles operate within
social relationships can help
predict the patterns of group
structures and behaviors.
 The technology-driven network
society has facilitated the
connections between people,
THE SELF places, institutions, and
information across the globe.
WITHIN THE Such digitally enhanced
connectivity has shaped the
NETWORK dynamics of our social

SOCIETY
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING
networks from physical
interaction to virtual ways of
communicating via text
message, e-mail, and blogging.
Through social media, people can
access and share information as
well as participate in informal social
exchanges. Such opportunities
allow them to learn new information
in non-conventional ways of
interacting and relating.
Digital connectivity has enhanced access to
knowledge and skills. It has even
empowered young learners to assume new
roles in the learning process.
Face-to-face interaction uses tone of voice,
gesture, posture, eye contact, and facial
expression, timing, and intensity of
responding all of which are not present in
virtual ways of relating and communicating.
The continuously evolving global network
and connections should encourage
educators to use all resources to promote
learning and development. At the same
time, they should also reflect and
understand new challenges and
vulnerabilities that come with increasing
connectivity and network.
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING

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