PRISM approaches human behaviour from the perspective of neuroscience, rather than psychological theory. This exciting online tool takes advantage of some of the most up-to-date neuroscience discoveries to provide users with a series of 'maps' which are representations of how they prefer to respond to the world around them.
Each PRISM 'map' is a picture of the user as a unique individual
PRISM’s reports show not only people’s natural or instinctive behaviour preference, but also the extent and the way in which they modify or adapt their preference on occasions to respond to what you see as the demands of specific situations e.g. their job.
The reports also indicate where individuals may be overdoing or not making full use of their preferences. This insight also helps them to understand more about their true potential, as well as what may be hindering them from achieving even higher performance.
The remarkable complexity of the brain has shown that human beings cannot credibly be divided up into a fixed number of types or groups of people who are unable to act outside of their profiles. PRISM does not, therefore, label people or fit them into ‘boxes’, nor does it have ‘scores’, or right or wrong answers. Instead, it provides users with a powerful, graphic explanation for why they approach situations and individuals in different ways.
Because PRISM is based on perception, it is obvious that if perceptions change, behaviour will change too. The dynamic interaction between perception of self and the environment explains why an individual may behave differently from one situation to another.
PRISM provides the insight for people to make better choices about what is going on in the present moment. It also helps them to reframe what is going on and to refocus their attention to achieve better outcomes. PRISM interfaces well with mindfulness. We know that mindful awareness changes the brain. ”
Jeffrey Schwartz is a Research Psychiatrist at UCLA School of Medicine and a researcher in the field of self-directed neuroplasticity and obsessive-compulsive behaviour.
It measures the intensity of a person’s expressed preference for a range of behaviours and the activities related to those behaviours. To facilitate understanding, PRISM uses colours to illustrate the behaviour preferences. Although the PRISM model is a schema for brain functioning, the PRISM maps represent the dynamic interaction that takes place within the brain and is based on the principle that no one part of the brain does solely one thing and no one part of the brain acts alone.
All our thoughts, emotions and actions are the results of many parts of the brain acting together
