Focused and Diffuse Modes of Thinking

The human brain has two main modes of thinking Focused and Diffuse. These two modes play a vital part in our learning process and we're going to explore how they can work together effectively.

It often helps to use metaphors when learning new concepts. So to help better understand these two thinking modes we're going to use the analogy of a pinball machine:


Image source: http://www.bmigaming.com/Games/Pictures/pinball-machines/metallica-pinball-machine-pro-professional-model-stern-pinball.jpg

Imagine the pinball machine is your brain. A pinball machine consists of lots of targets for the ball to hit. In this scenario the pinball is the thought in your brain, and the pinball targets are the neurons in your brain. In the two different modes of thinking these targets are arranged slightly differently.

Focused Mode

This mode can be thought of as a pinball machine that has its targets closely packed together. When we're thinking in this mode a thought is like the pinball bouncing off the targets in a specific pattern, as shown by the red line below:

Image source: Learning How to Learn, week 1 lecture 1

The targets in this image can be thought of as neurons in the brain and the red line is the path from neuron to neuron which makes up the thought pattern.

This thought mode is used when we're focusing on a specific task such as a difficult maths problem. Our thought pattern is very specific and therefore the pinball takes on a tightly packed route form neuron to neuron.

Diffuse Mode

In this mode the pinball is a little more free to roam around. As you can see in the image below the thought (represented by the red line) is able to move around much more freely without hitting as many targets:

Image source: Learning How to Learn, week 1 lecture 1

Again, the targets in this pinball layout can be represented as neurons. In this diffuse mode we're able to move freely between large areas of neurons. This is especially helpful when we're trying to be creative or search our memory for knowledge.

One major point to note is that the brain cannot be in both states at the same time. Much like a coin has two sides but only one side can be seen at any time.

The images of Focused and Diffuse mode above show the opposing sides of the same coin to help understand this concept.

The Importance of Focused and Diffuse

So why are these two opposing states of mind important?

Well, if you were to spend all of your time in just the focused mode for example then you would only be learning a new concept or focusing on solving a specific problem - but you might not be able to recall this new concept later.

However, the importance of the diffuse mode is that it allows the brains natural filling system to kick-in. That is: in the diffuse mode we can organise all the information and thought patters we've created in the focused mode and remember where they are for later.

So how does this apply to learning in real life?

We already know that when we're learning something new and concentrating that the brain is in focused mode.

When we're relaxing, sleeping, going for a walk etc we're in diffuse mode and it's this mode that's vital for organising all the information into our long term memory for later recall.

Therefore learning has 2 important phases: focused mode where we learn the new concept and diffuse mode where we organise that information for later recall and come up with new creative ideas.