When scientists analyzed the brains of taxi drivers in London, they found that the hippocampus—a region of the brain involved in spatial memory—was significantly larger in their subjects than in non–taxi drivers.Even more fascinating, the hippocampus decreased in size when a driver retired.Like the muscles of the body responding to regular weight training, particular regions of the brain adapt as they are used and atrophy as they are abandoned.Of course, the importance of repetition in establishing habits was recognized long before neuroscientists began poking around.In 1860, the English philosopher George H. Lewes noted, "In learning to speak a new language, to play on a musical instrument, or to perform unaccustomed movements, great difficulty is felt, because the channels through which each sensation has to pass have not become established; but no sooner has frequent repetition cut a pathway, than this difficulty vanishes; the actions become so automatic that they can be performed while the mind is otherwise engaged."Both common sense and scientific evidence agree: repetition is a form of change.Each time you repeat an action, you are activating a particular neural circuit associated with that habit.This means that simply putting in your reps is one of the most critical steps you can take to encoding a new habit.It is why the students who took tons of photos improved their skills while those who merely theorized about perfect photos did not.One group engaged in active practice, the other in passive learning.One in action, the other in motion.
When scientists analyzed the brains of taxi drivers in London, they found that the hippocampus—a region of the brain involved in spatial memory—was significantly larger in their subjects than in non–taxi drivers.
Even more fascinating, the hippocampus decreased in size when a driver retired.
更有趣的是,当司机退休后,海马体的体积会变小。
fascinating/ˈfæsɪneɪtɪŋ/
adj. 迷人的;非常有趣的
Ex: It's a fascinating discovery.
例句翻译:这是一个非常有趣的发现。 分析:强调让人强烈好奇或被吸引。
decreased/dɪˈkriːst/
v. 减少(过去式/过去分词)
Ex: The number decreased over time.
例句翻译:数量随着时间减少。 分析:decrease in size 表示“体积变小”。
retired/rɪˈtaɪərd/
v. 退休(过去式)
Ex: He retired last year.
例句翻译:他去年退休了。 分析:指停止工作;这里意味着不再经常开车认路。
Like the muscles of the body responding to regular weight training, particular regions of the brain adapt as they are used and atrophy as they are abandoned.
Of course, the importance of repetition in establishing habits was recognized long before neuroscientists began poking around.
当然,重复在建立习惯中的重要性,早在神经科学家开始深入研究之前就已经被认识到了。
importance/ɪmˈpɔːrtns/
n. 重要性
Ex: They stressed the importance of sleep.
例句翻译:他们强调睡眠的重要性。 分析:importance of ... 表示“……的重要性”。
repetition/ˌrepəˈtɪʃn/
n. 重复
Ex: Repetition builds skill.
例句翻译:重复会建立技能。 分析:本段核心词:反复做同一件事。
establishing/ɪˈstæblɪʃɪŋ/
v. 建立(现在分词)
Ex: He is establishing a routine.
例句翻译:他正在建立一套作息。 分析:establish a habit 指“让习惯成型并稳定”。
poking around/ˈpoʊkɪŋ əˈraʊnd/
phr. 四处探究;到处研究
Ex: He was poking around in old files.
例句翻译:他在旧文件里到处翻找。 分析:口语表达,表示深入探索细节。
In 1860, the English philosopher George H. Lewes noted, "In learning to speak a new language, to play on a musical instrument, or to perform unaccustomed movements, great difficulty is felt, because the channels through which each sensation has to pass have not become established; but no sooner has frequent repetition cut a pathway, than this difficulty vanishes; the actions become so automatic that they can be performed while the mind is otherwise engaged."