Read the article attached in files. Fischer has done the most complete work on continued neural development across the lifespan.
How the Brain Learns: Growth Cycles of Brain and Mind. Fischer. K., and Rose, S. Educational Leadership, November 1998, 56-60.
Abstract: Changes in thinking and learning relate to physical changes in the brain. The repeating patterns of these changes suggest common growth cycles in behavior and in the brain-a cyclical property that explains the remarkable human capacity for plasticity.
Fischer and Rose try to show that even though someone may neurologically moved on to a more complex developmental level (based on fMRI and PET scans) this improved capacity may not show in everyday actions. Why is this? Because what we do everyday doesn't challenge us enough for us to have to reach for an optimal level of performance. This makes sense. Most of what is expected of us at various ages only makes use of average abilities, and not peak abilities. Some peak experiences may be wonderful for the very reason that one's abilities are being challenged to become optimal - not just adequate.
The other point of this paper is that developmental levels are not steps on a ladder, as the term developmental stage might imply, but rather developmental jumps, spurts, moves, and skips across the many levels and modalities that we experience. Developmental growth is NOT consistent - it varies greatly across different cognitive domains and social situations. Additionally, just as someone reaches a new developmental level, there are frequently drops in skill level back to more basic levels, as the new mode of thinking and doing reaches down to skills learned earlier as well as up to skills new learned. This is a bit like the child who is getting a new baby brother or sister who wants to return to having a bottle.
Your Assignment:
Think about a situation that you believe tapped into your optimal ability. Has it ever happened to you? What were the circumstances? Try to describe as clearly as you can what the situation was that made it possible.
Could you identify any increased capacity?
Personal motivation
Social context of support
Domain of skill and expertise
Goal for which you strived
Evidence of success
Use citations from Fischer's article to support your essay.