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They also tested the subjects after they had translated the old time texts into a more modern and straightforward language. The tests showed that the more challenging prose ignited ore electrical activity in the brain as compared to the normal, modernized version. The research also showed that reading poetry increased activity in an area of the right hemisphere, or “creative” side, of the brain known to house the autobiographical memory. This helps the subject reflect on themselves in lieu of what they have read, and betters their ability to comprehend decisions they have made.
With this, the scientists decided that reading challenging poetry and prose is more helpful mentally than self-help books. Became curious about the article, and did some research on it. The college is making plans to join with University College London to study the effect of reading on dementia sufferers, which made me think about the other Uses that challenging reading could provide benefits for. I then decided to use the idea for my Biology Internal Assessment experiment.
The aim of this experiment was to test whether reading Shakespeare would increase brain activity enough to crease a subject’s reaction time while completing a puzzle. II. Hypothesis: If a subject reads a passage of Shakespeare, then the time taken to complete a puzzle will decrease. Ill. Variables: Independent Variable: Reading Shakespeare Dependent Variable: The time taken to do the puzzles Controlled Variables: The puzzles used The passage of Shakespeare read The age of the subjects IV. Control variables Puzzles: I went to the store and bought 5 puzzles of same measurements, and all one hundred pieces each.
Passage: The same passage of Shakespeare was given to each subject prior to starting their second puzzle. Age: only asked subjects who were between the ages of 16 and 18 years to participate, for the sake of keeping brain development at a similar place while still getting some diversity. V. Materials: 5 one hundred piece puzzles Pen and paper to record times A stopwatch Act three, scene two, lines 50-80 from the play Hamlet [Nay, do not think I flatter; For what advancement may I hope from thee That no revenue hast but thy good spirits, To feed and clothe thee?
Why should the poor be flattered? Candied tongue lick absurd pomp, And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee Where thrift may follow fawning. Dost thou hear? Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice And could of men distinguish, her election Hath sealed thee for herself; for thou hast been As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing, A man that Fortune’s buffets and rewards Hast talent with equal thanks: and blest are those Whose blood and judgment are so well compelled, That they are not a pipe for Fortune’s finger To sound what stop she please.
Give me that man That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him In my heart’s core, ay, in my heart of heart, As I do thee. ??Something too much of this. There is a play tonight before the king; One scene of it comes near the circumstance Which I have told thee of my father’s death: I prettier, when thou sets that act afoot, Even with the very comment of thy soul Observe mine uncle. If his occluded guilt Do not itself unwell in one speech, It is a damned ghost that we have seen, And my imaginations are as foul As Volcano’s stitch.