You've probably played Tetris game before, where you arrange falling blocks of different shapes into rows. Every time you complete a row, it disappears, rewarding you with a score. And that reward makes you happy and want more.
Harvard Medical School once conducted a study where they paid volunteers to play Tetris for several hours a day over three consecutive days. Afterward, almost all of them reported that they continued to dream about playing Tetris, and even when they were awake, they couldn't help but view the world around them through the logic of Tetris.
For instance, when they saw two boxes missing from a row of products on a supermarket shelf, they would instinctively move two boxes from the back row to fill the gap. Some even reported that when looking up at the city skyline, they imagined a long rectangular block falling from the sky, perfectly fitting between two buildings.
This phenomenon is known as the "Tetris Effect." After staring at the Tetris game interface for so long, the image imprints itself on the volunteers' visual systems—a phenomenon scientists call a "cognitive afterimage." This afterimage makes us unconsciously notice images that resemble Tetris blocks.
The study also revealed that prolonged gameplay alters the neural connections in our brains. Researchers observed that new neural pathways formed in the brains of these volunteers. This reflects a broader principle: many long-term experiences create fixed thinking patterns in our minds.
The first lesson we can learn from this is the power of repetition. Repeated exposure to certain activities or thoughts can shape our neural pathways and influence how we perceive the world. We can harness this effect positively by engaging in beneficial activities or thoughts.
The second lesson is about mental flexibility—our brains are adaptable and can be trained to create new pathways, even in our adult years.
Most importantly, the Tetris Effect teaches us the possibility of creating whatever cognitive afterimage that we want through our own consciously directed practice. Isn't that wonderful!
A Chinese saying, 滴水穿石，非一日之功 (Dī shuǐ chuān shí, fēi yī rì zhī gōng), means: "Constant dripping of water wears through stone, which is not accomplished in a day." The saying emphasizes the impact of one small but constant effort over time, much like how repeated exposure and practice can shape our thoughts, habits, and ultimately, our behavior.
By consciously applying these principles, we can cultivate positive habits, enhance our problem-solving abilities, and reach the goals we set for ourselves.