Psychological processes can be enhanced through the 9-Layered Model of Giftedness

 Physical Training & athletics

Exercise,  which  has  been  shown   to   ameliorate   behavioral   symptoms   of   stress   and enhance   hippocampal   neuroplasticity  in  animal  models,  has  also  been  considered  a potential adjunctive  treatment  for  neuropsychiatric  conditions.  Physical activity attenuates many of the harmful effects of stress. Our model suggests that a healthy lifestyle and especially physical training can induce attentional control and other executive functions as the physical substrate of mental health and cognitive improvement.

Learning & achievement

Our model emphasizes lifelong learning skills as part of our mental and social well-being as well as a means for employment, social affairs and inclusion. Especially, lifelong learning is tied to cognitive flexibility and self-regulation skills. Cognitive  flexibility  refers  to  the  ability  to  shift  between  response  sets,  learn  from     mistakes,  devise  alternative  strategies,  divide  attention  and  process  multiple  sources  of  information concurrently. Furthermore, a tailor-made educational experience or cognitive training can lead to the synergistic development of individuals’ cognitive and emotional components. 

Social & emotional health

Our mental health is intrinsically connected to complicated cognitive processes. Mental health entails the relationship we maintain with ourselves. This is the reason why we set intrapersonal skills as prerequisites for self-regulation. In addition, prolonged exposure to stress has a detrimental impact on the prefrontal control over amygdala activation, thus deficits in emotion regulation e.g. anxiety disorders, depression, are detected in one’s behavior. Therefore, by looking after our amygdala-prefrontal cortex circuitry, we directly enhance our mental health. 

 Chronic stress and poor sleep may both interfere with your sense of inner safety and lead to poor vagal tone. When your body is experiencing stress, your body will go into a flight-or-fight mode to protect you. Your amygdala signals your hypothalamus to increase your heart rate, heighten your senses, generate heavier breathing, cause greater oxygen intake, increase cortisol levels, and rush adrenaline across your system. 

   While this response is certainly important, when you are under chronic stress, your body will be in a constant flight-or-fight mood leading to chronically increased cortisol levels.  This can wear your brain down, interrupt the vagal tone, disrupt synapse regulation, impair brain function and compromise your mood. Chronic poor sleep increases chronic stress and ends up feeding a vicious cycle of a stressful state over safety. 

  This cycle can increase your risk of mental health issues, fatigue, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. 

https://medium.com/neuro-science

 Food consumption

9- Layered model of giftedness is centered on consumers’ healthy eating behavior, regardless of their economic or social status. Our model takes a crosscut look into several scientific fields, such as technology, engineering, ecology, biology, chemistry, nutrition, socio-economy and cognitive science. 

Our aim is to emphasize on natural food, including herbs and spices that have an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cognitively protective ingredients to set the grounds for the design of new food products that can be characterized for their multiply nutritious and beneficial role. Moreover, we insist on the best practices regarding the life cycle of the aforementioned natural foods, e.g. the natural conditions necessary for their growing and for maintaining their properties.

Also, we focus on the deployment of the principles of cyclic economy in the design and consumption of  new food products. Finally, we infuse our knowledge into the society, providing the technological means for an interactive exchange of information among the interested parties.   

 Our model proposes a whole way of life based on mindfulness living, suggesting a balanced diet originating from organic products to obtain brain health and thus, cognitive improvement. In addition, this model takes into consideration the cultural elements around food preferences, the zero waste and carbon reduction policy and its impact on food products in European Union as well as food’s transformation into several products of benefit. 

   Adult education

  The essential cognitive skills for triggering a change of mindset in EU citizens and organizations as well as reforming education and training in EU Member States, are the following:

•  Democratic values literacy (Social Justice, Equity, Respect).

•  Active citizenship (civil rights, human rights, personal rights, volunteerism, media literacy).

•  Leadership skills (personal development).

•  Social skills (communication/cooperation).

•  Lifelong Learning skills and their relation to brain function.

•  Critical/Creative Thinking.

•  Adaptability/Cognitive Flexibility/Resiliency.

•   Empathy/Sympathy/Humanity.

•   Digital skills.

•   Problem Solving skills.

•  Realizing the significance of one’s cognitive self-improvement

Inclusive education

    The key to effective inclusion strategies in schools and the society as a whole, lays on the ethos of a society. Ethos affects school functioning as it has an impact on the school climate. The aforementioned relation shows the significance of schools’ fostering positive and purposeful relationships throughout the school community. 

9-Layered Model of Giftedness provides an integrated approach towards improving human mind and behavior, encompassing both the skills and the personal characteristics (personal virtues, values, motivation) necessary for achieving one’s personal happiness and the happiness of others, as well. Especially, a civilization that is characterized by ideals such as social equity and solidarity, harnesses inclusiveness among all citizens. 

Piaget’s Theory as the theoretical background of the 9-Layered Model of Giftedness

  Piaget’s Theory is closely linked to the 9-Layered Model of Giftedness as they both encompass neuro-cognitive changes, structured on both biological evolution and self-regulation processes originating from the external environment e.g. education.  

 Triarchic Intelligences as the theoretical background of the 9-Layered Model of Giftedness

 Aristotle explained that if humans acquire certain virtues and skills, such as prudence, volition, judgment, memory, perspicacity, foresight, then they could discern right from wrong and try to maintain it, in their whole life. Moreover, he noted that perception is the key to higher cognitive skills, originating in one’s ability to apply his or her knowledge to new experiences (metacognition). All the aforementioned skills compose of Aristotle’s character excellence. He also spoke of the knowledge created by us while observing nature and its axiomatic system (Theoretical Intelligence). 

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence encompasses Analytical, Practical and Creative Intelligence. Analytical Intelligence entails cognitive and metacognitive processes, such as knowledge acquisition, planning, monitoring, evaluating as well as more complex cognitive skills, such as self-monitoring, problem solving and decision making. 

Practical Intelligence places emphasis on deploying one’s knowledge in everyday situations, while conceiving knowledge through observing others. 

Finally, Creative Intelligence comprises of innovative ideas and aspiring inventions and designs by combining several experiences and previously acquired knowledge.