Becoming stuck in protective and defensive biological states can reduce our ability to consider new information, thereby stifling our growth and progress.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.
A previous article has considered the important issue of cognitive biases, in particular confirmation bias, from the perspective of the Practices of the Healthcare Athlete. To summarize, these types of cognitive distortions impair our ability to think logically and rationally and, in particular, to consider new and emerging information which may be contrary to our prior views and narratives. As discussed in that article, these biases often emerge when we become stuck in activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states. As a result of the neurophysiology associated with these states, our cognitive capacities can become decreased due to reduced prefrontal cortical functioning.
It is important to acknowledge that when we become stuck in these states, which can also be termed protective and defensive states, the resulting reduced cognitive capacity has profound effects. As noted above, within these states, our ability to consider new information is reduced. We typically become closed to new and conflicting explanations and hypotheses. We tend to seek out only that information which confirms our pre-existing opinions and summarily discard those perspectives and evidence sources which challenge our preconceived notions.
The above situation is particularly problematic within scientific pursuits. By its very nature, scientific endeavors are continuously progressing and new information and data always emerging. If we are unable to be open to new information and alternate explanations for the issues we are considering we will lose our ability to grow and improve. This is on account of the inherent nature of new information being essential to progress over the course of time.
In addition to the impaired ability to consider new data and evidence, the very nature of these biological states tends to result in the emergence of defensive and protective behaviors. As such, it is not merely the inability to consider new information but also these additional attributes which can impair our pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance.
For example, when we are stuck within defensive and protective states, it is often the case that when we are presented with new information, we not only fail to consider it on its merit, but may also react by attacking the person providing the new information. This is an inherent response within our protective and defensive biological states and is not necessarily a conscious attempt to subvert or attack another individual. When we are stuck within these protective and defensive states, any cues or stimuli which challenge our thinking and opinions, can be viewed as a threat by our nervous system process of neuroception.
Our nervous system‘s primary goal is to ensure our protection and survival. As such any of these cues and stimuli which are interpreted as a threat may result in a response aimed towards protecting ourselves. As discussed in past articles, this neurophysiological response does not necessarily consider whether or not the cue is an actual threat to survival. Our nervous system response to being confronted with information which conflicts with our prior opinion is often equated to a threat or risk to ourselves. The subconscious response is aimed towards addressing this potential threat and protecting ourselves. Frequently this will include not only an inability to consider new information or ideas, but can also lead to an attack, figuratively or literally, on the individuals providing the new information. To be clear, this understanding is not an excuse for inappropriate reactions and behaviors in such situations, such as attacking other individuals.
It is axiomatic that such responses are not consistent with progress and growth. In fact, they are the antithesis to it. As such the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance and, indeed, growth in general, requires an ability to maintain an open mind and to consider new information and perspectives. The cognitive attribute of mental agility, discussed in past articles, is a necessary element in this regard.
In order to be able to demonstrate mental agility and consider new information, it is necessary that we shift our biological state towards anchored and grounded states. The emergent cognitive properties within these states allow for the consideration of new ideas, emerging data and evidence, and its integration within our existing ideas and frameworks. This process allows us to objectively and rationally consider new information and incorporate it as appropriate. Clearly this is the preferred method for experiencing and working with new ideas and information.
If we are to optimally pursue health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance through the perspective of the Practices of the Healthcare Athlete, the above attribute of mental agility with its associated framework for considering new information is essential. Through development of mind-based and body-based skills, we are able to leverage our biology, thereby facilitating shifts towards anchored and grounded states allowing mental agility to emerge. As a result, we will be better able to consider new perspectives, information, and ideas and integrate them within our existing framework and understanding.
Across many areas of modern day life, it is often the case that we encounter an inability to consider new information and, at times, unfortunately attacks on others, whether against their character or regrettably at times physically. One powerful strategy to counteract this common occurrence is the ability to shift our biological states towards anchored and grounded states such that mental agility emerges and our capacity to encounter new information in a constructive and productive fashion is optimized.
To learn more, including about polyvagal informed coaching for healthcare professionals and others in high demand domains, please visit www.darindavidson.com.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.