Structure of the brain
Getting back to the human brain. Tony Plummer’s model is in three parts: the instinctive part, the emotional part, and the thinking part – see Figure 3.1. As we evolved from the primeval swamp, or wherever it was we came from, these parts formed in turn. So the brain stem derives from our reptile heritage and is millions of years old, this provides our instinctive drives. The limbic system derives from our basic mammal heritage and involves emotional input, this too is very ancient. Of more recent development is the “neo-cortex” which involves reflective thought processes and imagination.
The problem is that trading triggers many instinctive and emotional reactions and because these reactions are so deeply buried within the functioning of our brains it is difficult for us to override them. Hence a simple activity, trading, becomes very difficult to do well. In fact this does prompt the thought that by trading we are trying to cram a square peg (ourselves) into a round hole (the trading environment). However true this may be, I would argue that by so doing we learn so much about ourselves that the process (unpleasant though it may be at times) is extremely worthwhile. Money may be the smallest of the gains we make.
I have rather sketched over the “triune” brain as discussed by Tony Plummer because this is fully covered by his article in Appendix 2.
Bill Williams’ three part brain is rather different and gives rise to different considerations. He divides the brain into the three parts: the “core,” the “left hemisphere” and the “right hemisphere”. He doesn’t particularly focus on the negative aspects of each part but more on their positive aspects. This falls in line with his Type Two Structure.
To summarize a lot of detailed material (it makes sense to read the book itself) the function of these three parts can be stated as follows. The “idiot” left hemisphere has strictly limited ability but provides the “programing” for the “core” which goes and does what needs to be done. Of the million bits of information available at any one time the “idiot” left hemisphere (which is normally in charge) can handle around 16 bits, the core can handle the lot. Hence what we do well we do subconsciously because the left hemisphere has trained the powerful core to do the job.
Fig 3.1 The triune brain
So the left hemisphere is “in charge” and here rests the ego which is filled with fear – primarily fear that it may become redundant. So it is always worrying, on the basis that if there is something to worry about it is still needed – illusory though this may be.
So what of the right hemisphere? Here we have the home of the 3 I’s: Inspiration, Intuition, and Imagination (and perhaps also Insight). Some say the power of the right hemisphere is infinite, that it is a direct link to the “God Force” (call it what you will).
In Bill Williams’ model, (which in many ways is a far more appealing concept – thus we may find ourselves believing it more because we believe what we want to believe) there is access to vast resource and we just have to use it by transcending our current state.
The concept of the “triune” brain fits within Bill Williams’ model and subdivides, in the main, the core and the left hemisphere, although the third part of the triune brain, incorporates the right hemisphere as well. But the focus of Plummer’s writing is on the problems presented by the structure of our brains and not how these problems may be transcended.
Personally I feel that the concept of the triune brain and its problems in trading are self evident. Those who have traded know these problems all too well. We do not need to discuss whether or not the concept is right, because we have been there.
We could perhaps say that it is only a model and as such is merely a representation of the true reality. As such perhaps it is merely a useful lie – a concept which we can use but which is not the “truth.” Indeed, yes, but then so is everything, including the chair you are sitting on and the book you are holding in your hands. Everything within your mind is only a representation of the truth.
Bill William’s three part brain is perhaps a little more complex, but there is plenty of evidence for its existence and its usefulness. When we learn to ride a bicycle we go through the process of trying to ride it with the idiot left hemisphere and falling off. Eventually the core becomes trained and after that it is plain sailing. Actually I managed to fall off my bicycle the other day, but we will ignore that as a red herring. We have all experienced, I expect, driving up the motorway and being unable to remember the last few miles. This is because the core has been doing it all for us. Less common is the experience of the right hemisphere taking control.
Bill Williams explains how we know which part is in control:
One of the most interesting characteristics of your intrapersonal inhabitants (the three parts of the brain) is that you can always tell in an instant which one is in command. The way the world looks to you at this moment will tell you exactly which one is in charge. If your life at this instant is a struggle, you are concerned about time and language, you dearly want to do the right thing, and/or you aren’t having fun, your left hemisphere is definitely in charge. If, on the other hand, life is a series of ups and downs, you feel good physically, and you are having a good time, you are operating from your core. If life is absolutely a bowl of cherries and everything in the world seems to be geared to giving you exactly what you want, you are in the right hemisphere.
An illustration of how these three parts interact in the trading environment described in Trading Chaos is reproduced in Figure 3.2. If you trade with only the right hemisphere you will have bad management, so you will lose. If you trade with only the core you will be reckless, or with only the left hemisphere you will be scared. If you trade without the left hemisphere you don’t have the experience, without the core you don’t have confidence, and without the right hemisphere you don’t have intuition. It is when all three parts are working in harmony you get what Bill Williams calls “profitunity.”
Fig 3.2 Bill Williams’ brain model
Source: Williams, B (1995) Trading Chaos, © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Trading Chaos
The layout of Trading Chaos is designed to get you there. The book offers five stages, each including different goals, and different tools to help you attain those goals. The five stages are: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient and expert. The goals are respectively; to minimize losses, to make money consistently on a one-contract basis, to maximize your profits, to trade your own belief systems, and to trade your states of mind. Each stage offers better tools to achieve these objectives. In this context tools refers to analysis techniques plus your own inherent abilities.
The book doesn’t tell you how to tap the vast potential of your neck-top computer but then this has been the goal of all mystics and spiritual gurus through the ages and is perhaps too much to expect. But if you want to see the Holy Grail, look in a mirror!
I have written this chapter because I believe the more we understand about ourselves the easier it will be to find success in the markets. The chapter may seem incomplete but it will be many decades, or even centuries, before we, as human beings, have a full understanding of ourselves, if indeed we ever do. So do not expect precise answers; and they are probably not even desirable. What you need are subtle signposts to steer you in the right direction (possibly such signposts should be aimed at parts of the brain other than the left hemisphere), I hope this one helps.
SUMMARY
I discuss two models of the human brain.
The