Shenk talks about people in poor countries like Kenya or Jamaica who have astounding athletic abilities even though they live in a life of poverty(104-109). They are able to succeed mostly because of their unique mindset. Being raised in a poor background gave them motivation to win competitions, and it gave them many opportunities to excessive. Running is also a part of the lifestyle in Kenya and Jamaica. Because of these environmental factors, the runners have a unique psychological build that pushes them to run.
How else can the environment affect a person's mind, and can a person's mind affect their physical capabilities? Hormones released by the brain might affect their body, and a person might also be able to push themselves more if they have a certain mindset, for example.
The environment can also affect a person’s mind negatively instead of the positive way that the Jamaicans were affected. A great example of this is shown by Beethoven and the environment his dad created. Beethoven was “so short he had to climb a footstool to reach the keys. If he hesitated his father beat him. When he was allowed off, it was only to have a violin thrust into his hands, or musical theory drummed into his head” (116-117). Neighbors saw him crying as he was before the clavier and he was often deprived sleep so that he could practice. This harsh environment that Beethoven’s father created made Beethoven a musical wonder, but the drive to get better was instilled from the fear of punishment. He lived in fear of punishment and of his father which didn’t instill a confidence in him like the Jamaicans had. A positive environment can help a person to become confident if they are encouraged to get better and be the best they can to survive or be successful. Shenk states that “a person’s mind-set has the power to dramatically affect both short-term capabilities and the long-term dynamic of achievement”(110). Here he implies that the positive or negative state of mind affects your long-term and short-term achievement, whether that be survival or becoming successful.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the mind can change a person’s physical capabilities. When faced with fight or flight decision or immense stress, the brain sends a signal to the adrenal glands in the kidneys to produce adrenaline (also known as epinephrine). This hormone binds to a variety of receptors which changes the metabolism. It inhibits insulin secretion, stimulates glycogenolysis in liver and muscle, stimulates glycolysis in muscle, secretes glucagon from the pancreas, and other changes. These all lead to increase blood glucose and fatty acids which are substrates for energy production within cells throughout the body (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epinephrine#Adverse_effects). This excess energy that is made allows people to perform at greater capabilities because they have so much extra energy to burn. Athletes normally experience this during sports and can jump higher or run faster also, regular people when scared can run faster and longer due to the extra energy. Another thing that can help physical capabilities is the mindset of the individual. Shenk states that many people think that talent is in the genes or inborn, but he doesn’t he thinks that people choose to think that to help them gain confidence in what they have now instead of what they could become. Roger Bannister was the first man to crack the four-minute mile and said that “while biology sets ultimate limits to performance, it is the mind that plainly determines how close individuals come to those absolute limits”(110-111). The Jamaicans too stated that their success comes from “a mind-set” (110) and even though they are small and poor, they believe in themselves and this creates the champion sprinters. The mindset is what limits people. If they believe that there is growth then they will grow and their physical capabilities will reflect that. Most people believe they cannot achieve greatness and that is what limits how great they become because they don’t push to be something better than what they are already they just settle for what they know and don’t explore what they could become. (Regan Frieling, regan1995@yahoo.com)