The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy | Behavioral Economics 552. Unlocking Learning Potential
Nov 25, 2025
Dr. Dan Willingham, a cognitive psychologist and author of Outsmart Your Brain, delves into the science of learning and memory. He emphasizes the importance of structured study habits over mere intention and warns against the perils of cramming. Discover how distributed practice can strengthen retention, and learn about the significance of self-image in the learning process. With relatable anecdotes and practical tips, he reveals that real learning requires meaningful connections, effort, and even a bit of sleep!
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Career Shift From An Unexpected Talk
- Dan Willingham panicked preparing a talk for 500 teachers but reused basic memory lecture slides from his course.
- The talk surprised him by resonating and shifted his career toward applied learning advice.
Easy Practice Feels Good But Underprepares
- People choose study methods that feel easy and immediately productive but are often ineffective long-term.
- Dan compares common study tactics to doing push-ups on your knees: comfortable but not strengthening for later demands.
Use Distributed Practice, Not Cramming
- Avoid cramming when you need long-term retention; space study sessions across time instead.
- Use distributed practice to dramatically slow forgetting and support future courses or work.
