knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the...

11
Some of the Most Important Things I’ve Learned In Forty Years as a Neuropsychology Forensic Expert Sam Goldstein, Ph.D. Assistant Clinical Professor University of Utah School of Medicine Clinical Director Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, SLC, Utah www.samgoldstein.com [email protected] Knowledge is power. Sir Francis Bacon The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance - it is the illusion of knowledge. Daniel J. Boorstein

Upload: others

Post on 27-Jun-2020

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

SomeoftheMostImportantThingsI’veLearned

InFortyYearsasaNeuropsychologyForensicExpert

Sam Goldstein, Ph.D.Assistant Clinical ProfessorUniversity of Utah School of Medicine

Clinical DirectorNeurology, Learning and Behavior Center, SLC, Utah

[email protected]

Knowledge is power.

S i r F r a n c i s B a c o n

The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance - it is

the illusion of knowledge.

Daniel J. Boorstein

Page 2: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

Caution should be taken in jumping to readily onto the

bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment.

Sir Michael Rutter

The Future

The purpose of life is to prepare the next

generation for their future.

Page 3: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

Survival of the Species

Salmon and snakes are born with sufficient instincts to survive.

Bear cubs require at least one or two years with their mother to insure survival.

Higher primates require three or four years.

Humans require at least ten years.

My Grandparent’s Future

My Grandparent’s Future

Page 4: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

My Parent’s Future

My Parent’s Future

Our Future

Page 5: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

After 40 years of working with people of all ages in litigation

I’ve discovered the two most important

variables in changing lives…

Instinctual Optimism &

Intrinsic Motivation

Biology is not destiny but it does effect probability.

Page 6: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

The mind doesn’t follow any rules of the physical

universe.

There isn’t a predictable relationship between the

physical brain and the mind.

Genes can only operate with a push from the environment.

Page 7: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

There’s no quick method to evaluate and understand the human mind and behavior.

Try as we might, neuropsychology is an

imprecise science.

It is imprecise because their are far too many unknown variables contributing to human behavior.

Page 8: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

Just when you think you know everything you

discover you know very little.

The simplest explanation is usually the best.

Belief is a valuable ally in the absence of fact but can quickly become a liability when used as

foundation for opinion.

Page 9: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

I am NOT an advocate. As a forensic expert I have to work

everyday to keep my advocacy in check.

If you fail to take the time to educate others, your opinions

may not be understood and never be heard.

Admit when I’m wrong or made a mistake.

Page 10: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

Always begin with empathy.

Most people are doing the best they can, even in

litigation.

I may not be able to change your physical brain very easily but with one idea I can

change your mind dramatically instilling in you the power to do nearly anything

possible.

Page 11: Knowledge is power. · jumping to readily onto the bandwagon of whatever happens to be the prevailing enthusiasm of the moment. Sir Michael Rutter The Future The purpose of life …

Resilience (coping well with adversity) is a

process of ordinary magic.

www.samgoldstein.com [email protected]

Facebook: @drsamgoldstein Twitter: @DrSamGoldstein