To transfer learning effectively, it is beneficial to analyze multiple similar cases and abstract the similarities between them. One case alone is insufficient, but two cases are better, and combining them with a diagram of relationships is even more helpful. However, transitioning from abstractions to specific instances can be challenging. People often need concrete examples before they believe in abstract principles. This applies to various fields such as cognitive psychology, politics, and history. While learning from firsthand experiences is valuable, education often relies on vicarious learning through language and abstractions. It is crucial to make learning concrete. Experiences can take different forms, including physical activities, reading, or engaging in conversations. Consuming information usually involves consuming other people's abstractions, which can create the illusion of knowledge. These abstractions may work well when everything goes smoothly, but they may fail to provide a deeper understanding when things go wrong. To gain a deeper understanding, it is necessary to decompose the abstractions and engage with the originators of the experiences or abstractions. This allows for a stronger connection and more accurate knowledge.
My guest today is acclaimed psychologist and longtime Stanford University professor Barbara Tversky who calls on her nearly 50 years in the field of cognitive psychology for an in-depth discussion about how our minds work.
We discuss the Nine Laws of Cognition, why action shapes thought, how the language we use changes what we think, tactics to communicate better on Zoom, why she dove into the work of Leonardo da Vinci, when to use charts and when to avoid them, the importance of perspective taking, learned knowledge vs. earned knowledge, and so much more.
--
Want even more? Members get early access, hand-edited transcripts, member-only episodes, and so much more. Learn more here: https://fs.blog/membership/
Every Sunday our Brain Food newsletter shares timeless insights and ideas that you can use at work and home. Add it to your inbox: https://fs.blog/newsletter/
Follow Shane on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/ShaneAParrish