3.3 Making SENSE of Things

A. Brain Tricks: Name That Color

Sometimes our brain takes in information easily. At the start of a video game, there is a sound for the start of the race. We hear the sound and we start playing. However, our brain sometimes has to work harder to make sense of the information. Sometimes we even get confused. 

 

Now we’re going to do an experiment to show how our brain can sometimes have a hard time with too much information. 

 

Directions: The slides below have the names of colors on them. When you see the slide, say the color of the word. See how many colors you can name. Be sure to move quickly. Don’t think about it. Just say the color of the word out loud. Remember, say the “color” or the word, not the written word. 

Stop and Think: So, how did you do? It was probably tough. The first part was easy because the color of the word matched the name of the word. The second part was probably more difficult. 

  1. Why do you think Part 2 was hard? Think about your answer, then check your thinking below. Scientists are unsure, but they have two theories. 
  2. Which theory do you agree with? Why? 

Theory 1: Speed

One theory is that our brain can process words faster than colors. So we say the word because that's what our brains process first.

Theory 1

Theory 2: Choice

There is a lot of information in the world. Another theory is that our brain makes a choice about which information to pay attention to.

Theory 2

B. Read

Fact Finder: Now we’re going to read more about how our brain processes information. As you read, write down any important information in the “Fact Finder” section of your Mission Log.

How does our brain take in information?

C. Moving Images

Now that we know a bit more about how our brains process information, we’re going to learn more about how our brains actually see moving images in video games. Did you know that the images in video games aren’t really moving? That’s right. They are a set of still images. But how do our brains make still images look like they are moving? We’re going to make our own animated flip book to find out. 

 

Directions: Turn to your Mission Log and follow the directions to create your flip book. 

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