The Hard Truth About Psychology, Learning New Skills, & Making Mistakes with Dr. Art Markman & Dr. Bob Duke
Dec 8, 2023
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Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss time perception, the decline of memory with age, the power of accumulated wisdom, debunking the Mozart effect, the critical role of sleep in memory and emotional well-being, and the importance of scheduling happiness and meaningful conversations.
Perception of time speeds up as we age due to decreased novelty and memorable experiences.
Positive attitude towards memory and engaging in stimulating activities can counteract the effects of memory decline.
Using our entire brain and enhancing cognitive abilities requires genuine effort and cannot be achieved through shortcuts or quick fixes.
Deep dives
As we age, time appears to speed up due to changes in our perception
As we age, our perception of time changes, making it feel like time is speeding up. This is due to a combination of factors. Firstly, the proportion of time that a year represents in our overall life decreases as we get older. Additionally, our lives become more routine, leading to fewer novel and memorable experiences. This lack of new experiences makes it harder to distinguish between events and causes time to appear to pass more quickly. However, actively seeking out new experiences and creating landmarks in our lives can help slow down our perception of time.
Memory decline with age is a normal process, but worrying about it can worsen performance
Memory decline is a natural part of aging, and it becomes more noticeable as we get older. However, for most healthy individuals, the decline is gradual and mostly imperceptible. A key factor in memory performance is our mindset. Older adults who worry excessively about their memory tend to perform worse on memory tests compared to those who do not worry. The anxiety about memory decline can have a negative impact on memory performance. Therefore, it is important to cultivate a positive attitude towards memory and focus on engaging in activities that challenge and stimulate the brain.
The myth of using only 10% of our brains and the lack of evidence for the Mozart effect
Contrary to popular belief, we use our entire brain, not just 10%. This misconception may have originated from the fact that only a small percentage of brain cells are active neurons, while the rest are support cells. Additionally, the idea that listening to Mozart makes us smarter lacks scientific evidence. The initial study linking Mozart's music to enhanced spatial reasoning was misinterpreted and sensationalized. The boost in cognitive performance often attributed to Mozart can be better explained by increased attention and arousal rather than any specific Mozart effect. Expanding our knowledge and enhancing cognitive abilities requires genuine effort and cannot be achieved through shortcuts or quick fixes.
The Benefits of Accumulated Wisdom and Knowledge
As people age, their cognitive abilities may slow down, but the accumulated wisdom and knowledge they have gained throughout their lives often gives them an advantage over younger individuals. The extensive base of experience and knowledge allows older adults to draw from a vast pool of information, making them act most intelligently. The more new things that older adults continue to learn and experience, the longer they can hold off deficits in memory. Furthermore, the organization of knowledge in their minds enables easier access to information, making them more efficient than relying solely on external sources.
The Importance of Active Learning and Engagement
Engaging in active learning, rather than being a passive consumer of information, is crucial for continuous skill development and improvement. Joining clubs or communities with shared interests, learning new skills or sports, or writing and sharing content online are excellent ways to actively learn and engage with information. Active learning not only solidifies knowledge but also promotes self-awareness and the ability to identify mistakes or flaws, which are essential for growth and improvement. By actively learning and pursuing activities that bring joy and happiness, individuals can enhance their skills and overall well-being.
In this episode we discuss whether time speeds up as we get older, why your life story only makes sense looking in reverse, whether or not brain games actually work, the importance of proactive learning instead of passive learning, why psychology confirms all your worst fears about studying and getting smarter – and much more with a special TWO GUEST interview featuring Dr. Art Markman & Dr. Bob Duke!
