Magical Thinking and Study Habits

Jonathan Firth's Memory & Metacognition Updates #24

Hello all! December at last 🌟

Firstly, just to mention that on my workplace’s Twitter account this week there’s going to be a focus on metacognition, and they will be sharing many of my articles and resources, as well as those by colleagues. Why not check it out? Here’s the link.

What is metacognition? (And what’s next?)

Metacognition means thinking about thinking. In education contexts we are often concerned particularly with thinking about learning processes in some way.

A few weeks ago, I said I would focus in on metacognition, and we are now coming to the end of that run of topics. To sum up, I have covered:

• Planning (before the task)

• Metacognitive monitoring (during the task)

• Reflection (after the task)

• Study skills (away from the classroom)

For a deeper dive into the ‘what is metacognition?’ question that follows a similar structure, check out this blog post/video that I produced for Collins back in the summer.

In the coming weeks, you can expect more on memory (of course), as well as some broader educational topics viewed through the lens of metacognition, for example: creativity, self-regulation, and teacher burnout. I’ll also be revisiting (and questioning!) some of the most popular advice on memory and evidence-based education.

Magical thinking and mind maps

Last week I referred to the study by O’Day and Karpicke (2020) which found that after a delayed test, concept-mapping performed worse than studying using retrieval practice.

When considering the popularity of mind maps, I am reminded of a book I once read about mind-mapping by Tony Buzan. In it, he makes numerous claims about the benefits of mind maps, referring to how networks are widely found in nature, including in the human brain.

But does it really make sense to say that mind maps must be effective because other networks are widespread? Or that because they (in Buzan’s opinion) resemble a brain, the information will stick better in your memory?

Those seems like dubious arguments to me!

More broadly, I would say that this lines up with a lot of magical thinking about study skills.

By magical thinking, I mean thinking about cause-and-effect in a way that lacks evidence, and is instead based on hunches or gut feelings.

Superstitions are an example of magical thinking: ‘because I broke a mirror, I’m going to have bad luck’, or ‘if I take this lucky pen to my exam, it will go well’.

Magical thinking in students’ habits

Magical thinking about learning can be seen as a form of metacognition, and specifically, it’s a type of metacognitive error. Learners may fervently believe something about learning or making things stick in memory, but that doesn’t make it true!

Magical thinking is also recognised by therapists as a problem, and it is tackled in cognitive therapies such as CBT. The basic idea is that if people have flawed beliefs about the world, these will lead to harmful actions and feelings.

Similarly, if we want our learners to succeed, we need them to move away from magical thinking and towards evidence-based notions of how learning and study work.

Here are a few other examples of magical thinking that I have come across in my time working with students, schools, and on issues around study skills:

(note – all of these are wrong!)

• If I write in purple pen, 70% more information will stick in my mind.

• If I sleep with my notes under my pillow, I’ll remember them better.

• I can improve my grades by associating topics with the smells of essential oils.

• Chewing gum will help me focus and therefore learn better.

• I should try learning something standing on my head.

• Using multi-colored post-it notes will help me learn.

I could go on… the point is, none of these are likely to make any difference if the students aren’t getting the fundamentals right. A student could use purple pens, post-it notes, and gum. But the real difference comes when then engage with the material actively, meaningfully, and over a prolonged period.

Thanks for reading. You’re the best! 🌟

Jonathan

Last week: Study Skills

Website: www.jonathanfirth.co.uk

Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe to Memory & Metacognition Updates below, so that you don't miss anything!