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Is it Better to Learn Something in Small, Frequent Chunks of Information?
TIME: It is better to learn small chunks of information, frequently, than big chunks, infrequently. I will explain by presenting several ideas from experts on learning and then combining them. In 1956, a cognitive psychologist, from Harvard, named George A. Miller introduced a concept in the journal Psychology Review. That concept has become known as “Miller’s Magic Number” or “Magic Number Seven (Plus or Minus Two)“. In that paper he presented the idea that people can only store seven (plus or minus two) chunks of information in their short term memory. Notice that the word chunks is used, and not pieces or bits.
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Ellen Langer: Science of Mindlessness and Mindfulness
On Being: Social psychologist Ellen Langer's unconventional studies have long suggested what brain science is now revealing: our experiences are formed by the words and ideas we attach to them. Naming something "play" rather than "work" can mean the difference between delight and drudgery. She is one of the early pioneers — along with figures like Jon Kabat-Zinn and Herbert Benson — in drawing a connection between mindlessness and unhappiness, between mindfulness and health. Dr. Langer describes mindfulness as achievable without meditation or yoga — as “the simple act of actively noticing things.” Listen here: On Being
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Dads Who Do Household Chores Boost Daughters Career Aspirations
Business Standard: A new study suggests that dads who help with household chores are more likely to raise daughters who aspire to less traditional, and potentially higher paying, careers. The study shows how parents sharing dishes, laundry and other domestic duties plays a key role in shaping the gender attitudes and aspirations of their children, especially daughters. While mothers' gender and work equality beliefs were key factors in predicting kids' attitudes toward gender, the strongest predictor of daughters' own professional ambitions was their fathers' approach to household chores. Read the whole story: Business Standard
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Virtuous Rhythms: Night Owls and Early Birds
I have been an early bird for as long as I can remember. Even in college and grad school, when circumstances more or less forced me to be a night owl—even then I secretly preferred being awake and alert as the morning dawned. You genuine night owls really don’t want to know what time I’m up and about these days. Psychological scientists are very interested in “chronotypes”—a jargony label for early birds and night owls. These preferences, or biological propensities, have important consequences, affecting school performance, work life choices, friendships, even romance.
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How Long Does the ‘Cool Kid’ Effect Last?
The Wall Street Journal: A University of Virginia study tracked teenagers for one decade and found that teenagers who were considered "cool" at a young age had more problems as adults. University of Virginia psychology professor Joseph Allen, who led the study, discusses the research on Lunch Break with Tanya Rivero. Watch here: The Wall Street Journal
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Why Behavioral Economics Is Cool, and I’m Not
The Huffington Post: Here are some of my favorite surprising studies. What do they have in common? • People are more likely to buy jam when they're presented with 6 flavors than 24. • After inspecting a house, real estate agents thought it was $14,000 more valuable when the seller listed it at $149,900 than $119,900. • When children play a fun game and then get rewarded for it, they lose interest in playing the game once the rewards are gone. • People conserve more energy when they see their neighbors' consumption rates.
