Decision Making and the Brain

Caroline Goldberg
Mr. Webb
Atomic Structure
Monday, November 19th 2012

For the first assignment, I found an article on the brain and how it makes fast decisions. The article uses the example of speed dating to compare to the brain making fast and emotional decisions. The study conducted shows how the brain evaluates others within the seconds of meeting someone. The speed dating experiment was conducted in parts. First, scientists showed the subjects pictures of potential singles on the computer. Second, they took the subjects to an actual speed dating event and it was found that the people were more likely to pick someone that looks like the people they had chosen on the computer previously. The article also discusses the different parts of the brain and how they contributed to decision making. In today's technology run world, first impressions are everything; whether it's a picture or a handshake, the current society relies on the quick decision making skills of our brain to direct us through social situations and calculations.


Article: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/346293/description/Your_brain_on_speed_dating

First day of class

Caroline Goldberg
Mr. Webb
Atomic Structure
Wednesday, November 14th 2012


My name is Caroline Goldberg and I have been at MICDS since 6th grade and I am 16 years old. I am a varsity and state ranked cross country and track runner and I also run indoor track in the winter. I have an older sister who is in college and a brother who is in 7th grade. In school, science and math are not my strong points and those usually stress me out. I do not like science classes where I am expected to teach myself and have no direction in class. I succeed in science classes that have direction and a lot of direction and instruction. I like the idea of the videos at night but I hope we also discuss main ideas in class.