Learning / Memory
I love to learn and I love to learn about how to learn, and I love to learn about how to improve the learning process (you get the idea). These episodes are all about how we learn and what affects our ability to remember what we’ve learned. I have to warn you: I’m a mnemonics nut, so there’s a lot here about mnemonics.
Episodes
- Episode 128: Do Brain Training Games Work?
You’ve probably heard about these Brain Training games. Do they really help you to keep your mind sharp? Will they prevent cognitive decline or slow the effects of alzheimer’s disease? In this episode I review some recent studies on the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of these popular games.
- Episode 124: Flashbulb Memories – Are They As Accurate As We Think?
Would you be surprised if I told you that your memories of the attacks on September 11, 2001 are inaccurate? How much of what you remember of that day or of other Flashbulb Memories actually happened? Where were you, for example, when the Challenger disaster occurred? Or when Princess Diana died? Join me as I explore the research that reveals how inaccurate our memories are (no matter how confident we feel). And by the way, was President Bush involved in a conspiracy over the events of September 11? Let’s find out.
- Episode 121: Top 10 Psychology Apps for the iPad, iPhone, & iPod
In this video episode I show you 10 of what I consider to be the best psychology apps in the app store. There are a lot of apps out there and many are not so good, but in this episode I pick out what I consider to be credible therapy apps, excellent mobile mind mapping tools, relaxation apps, games based on Gestalt principles of psychology, and some of the best 3 dimensional ways to look at the brain.
- Episode 114 (video): Finding Little Albert
Little Albert – one of the most famous subjects in the history of psychology – has finally been identified. Researchers spent 7 years tracking down every possible lead in order to discover who John Watson’s “Albert B” really was. In this video episode I take you through each step of the extensive detective work to uncover his identity. It’s a fascinating, creative, and in the end touching journey. Some never seen before pictures are included. Join me in this episode of The Psych Files.
- Episode 103: Raising Children – Interview with Author Jamie Raser
Having trouble raising your children? Join the crowd. There are lots of parenting books, but here’s one you should know about: “Raising Children You Can Live With” by Jamie Raser. He has an approach to parenting that is not about “picking your battles”, but about staying out of battles altogether and talking with your child in a way that doesn’t lead to shouting, screaming and anger. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
- Episode 101: The Psychology of Music: The Role of Expectations and Minor Chords
How does music affect us emotionally? Why do minor chords so sad? In this episode of The Psych Files I explore ideas from Daniel Leviton‘s fascinating book, Your Brain on Music, especially those ideas concerned with what composers do to draw you into their music by first conforming to your musical expectations and then carefully confounding them in order to surprise and delight.
- Episode 96 (video): Mnemonics Advanced: The Pegword System Part 2
In the episode 95 you saw me memorize – almost perfectly – a list of 20 top sci-fi movies. How did I do it? In this video learn exactly how the advanced pegword system works which will enable you to memorize almost any size list.
- Episode 95 (video): Mnemonics Advanced: The Pegword System Part 1
Did you know there’s a mnemonic device that is more powerful than the "One is a bun" pegword mnemonic? In this video I show you the advanced pegword mnemonic system in which every number becomes a letter and a concrete word that you can visualize to help you remember a list of any length.
- Episode 90: The Learning Styles Myth: An Interview with Daniel Willingham
Guess what? There’s no such thing as learning style (the theory that each of us has a preferred way to learn new ideas. There are many supposed kinds of learning styles, such as a visual learning style, an auditory style, kinesthetic, etc.). Don’t believe it? Neither did I at first. I was sure for a long time that I personally had a visual learning style. Now I’m not so sure anymore. Listen to this interview with professor and author Daniel Willingham as he and I discuss the topic of learning styles.
- Episode 86 (video): Educational Games
Can games really be educational? They are certainly addictive and engaging. Can we harness this aspect of games and use it to learn? In this video I show you why I believe the answer is yes. Let’s talk about what really good teaching is and what really good games are like. Then I take you on a brief tour of what I believe are some of the best examples of great educational games.
- Episode 85: How to Make Learning Fun Again – Constructivism and Democratic Schools – Part 2
What the heck is constructivism anyway? In this episode I explore that topic with Dr. Eugene Geist. We also explore what some would consider a radical concept in education: democratic schools. What would happen if we let children decide how they wanted to learn? Complete Chaos? Or an exciting new way to get students involved in and taking responsibility for learning?
- Episode 77: Lost at School – An Interview with Ross Green Part 2
For some kids, time out may actually be a reward because of the popularity it provides for them from other kids. If you’re worried that time out is not helping, and the end of that road can only be jail, then you need to listen to Dr. Ross Green talk about Collaborative Problem Solving.
- Episode 73: On the Folly of….Politics
On The Folly of Rewarding A While Hoping For B is a well known article by Steven Kerr that appeared in The Academy of Management Executive. Want an example of how insightful Steven Kerr was with this article that is still relevant today? Look no further than the US election and Comedy Central.
- Episode 72 (video): Memorize the Parts of the Brain
Memorize the parts of the brain once and for all! Here’s a mnemonic device to help you remember the parts of the brain. You will never forget what the parts of the brain do after you see this video. Improve your grade on your next biopsychology test and learn more about mnemonics at the same time.
- Episode 68: Mnemonic Device for Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development
Memorize Erik Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development once and for all! In this video episode I use the peg word mnemonic device and ordinary household objects to help you memorize Erikson’s eight stages.
- Episode 53: Mindful Learning, NCLB, and the True Foundations of Success
Tired of rote memorization? Tired of NCLB? Try mindful learning. In this episode I explore psychologist Ellen Langer’s concept of mindful learning. What does it mean to teach and learn in a mindful way?
- Episode 47: The Little Albert Study: What You Know is…Mostly Wrong
Think you know a lot about the little Albert experiment conducted by John Watson? Well, guess what – you’d be surprised at how much of the story is simply not true. If you’re wondering whatever happened to little Albert, then I suggest you take a listen to this episode and get the facts on this fascinating story.
- Episode 42: Taking A Psychology Class?
The Psych Files podcast is 1 year old this month and I wanted to tell all the new listeners a little bit about the podcast. Also, I’ve got two “secrets” for success in your psychology class, as well as two tidbits of information about blaming the victim and our need for personal control.
- Episode 40: Performance Anxiety (and sopranos on their heads)
Do you get nervous when you perform? Listen to experienced actors talk about performing. I’ll share some thoughts about what psychologists have to say about those judges in your head who keep you from doing your best.
- Episode 34: Timeout Revisited – Dealing with Challenging Kids Part 2
Here’s the second part of my episode on alternatives to timeout. In this part of the interview, Dr. Ablon discusses Plan B in more detail. How do you work with your child to come up with solutions that satisfy both your and his or her needs?
