Key concepts Flashcards
(9 cards)
What is the diffuse mode?
It’s a mode of thinking where you are not focused on a particular topic which allows your brain become more flexible and create non-sequential connections between chunks
What is the focused mode?
It’s a mode of thinking that helps you understand the intricacies and complexities of a particular topic/concept. However, it bounds you to a rigid (non-creative) type of thinking by not allowing fluid connections to be made
How does sleeping help with learning?
By getting rid of the toxins that accumulate during the day
What are state-dependent memories?
These are memories that are easier to recall if you are in the same physiological, emotional, or physical space in which you formed them. I.e. drunk, angry, library respectively. It’s useful to change of physical space when learning to avoid fixing memories to a particular place.
How to pass information from short term to long term memory?
This is done by signalling your brain that the information is important which is done through repetition or strong emotions
What is chunking and why is it useful?
Chunking is turning information into pieces bound by meaning or use and it’s incredibly useful in creativity when you link various chunks between each other
What are the steps to create a solid chunk?
Paying attention, understanding, gaining context to make sure it’s accessible from various “paths”
What is overlearning and when is it useful?
Overlearning can be both wasteful and helpful. Wasteful when it’s used blindly to try and learn a topic that you are finding hard to understand or helpful for mechanical skills to develop “muscle” memory
What are the main neurotransmitters related to learning and what is their function?
Acetylcholine which helps with focusing and making connections, dopamine which can be used to trick brain with rewards after studying, and serotonin which affects social interaction with lower levels meaning higher risk behaviour
