Stop Talking, Start Influencing

1. Reading and listening simultaneously is impossible: Choose one for effective communication

"It is impossible to understand something you are reading while simultaneously trying to understand a voice you are listening to."

The Broca/Wernicke bottleneck explains why we can't process written and spoken language simultaneously. This neural network, located in one side of the brain, can only handle one stream of linguistic information at a time. When attempting to read and listen concurrently, we rapidly switch between the two, losing key information from each.

Implications for communication:

• Avoid text-heavy PowerPoint slides during presentations
• Distribute detailed handouts after, not during, talks
• When attending presentations with text-heavy slides, focus on the speaker

By choosing either spoken or written communication, we ensure that our audience can fully process and retain the information we're sharing.

2. Combine speech with relevant images to enhance learning and memory

"Audio and visuals together can be transcendent."

Sensory integration allows our brains to process visual and auditory information simultaneously, unlike with text and speech. This integration creates a more comprehensive and memorable learning experience.

Benefits of combining speech with images:

• Improves comprehension and retention by up to 20%
• Enhances audience engagement and receptivity
• Makes the presenter appear more professional and likable

Key considerations:

• Use one complex image per slide, not multiple
• Ensure images are relevant to the content being discussed
• Be cautious with graphs and tables, as they require more processing time

3. Consistent spatial layouts reduce cognitive load and improve retention

"When you can accurately predict where in space relevant information is likely to occur, you expend less time and energy interpreting that information."

Contextual cueing allows our brains to form predictions about where information will appear, reducing the cognitive effort required to process it. This frees up mental resources for deeper engagement with the content.

Practical applications:

• Maintain consistent formatting in slides and documents
• Use a predictable layout for websites and applications
• Hold a consistent perspective in video presentations

However, be aware that in situations where complacency is a concern (e.g., safety checklists), varying layouts can help maintain attention and engagement.

4. Context and emotional state significantly influence learning outcomes

"Where we do our learning forms an integral aspect of what we ultimately learn."

Context-dependent learning explains why information is often easier to recall in the environment where it was initially learned. This phenomenon extends beyond physical surroundings to include internal states, such as emotions and chemical influences (e.g., caffeine, alcohol).

Strategies to leverage context-dependency:

• Match training environments to performance environments when possible
• For flexible applications, practice in various contexts
• Be aware of emotional state during learning and its potential impact on recall

To create more universally accessible memories, expose learners to the same information across diverse contexts and emotional states.

5. Multitasking hinders learning: Focus on one task at a time

"Although we often think we're multitasking, never do we actually undertake multiple tasks simultaneously. Rather, we really quickly jump back and forth between tasks, swapping out rulesets within the LatPFC each time we do."

Task-switching, often mistaken for multitasking, comes with three major costs:

1. Time: Brief attentional blinks occur during each switch
2. Accuracy: A psychological refractory period causes performance to suffer
3. Memory: Decreased hippocampal activity impairs memory formation

Strategies to combat multitasking:

• Break complex tasks into smaller, focused segments
• Eliminate unnecessary technology during learning sessions
• Present one message at a time in slides or handouts
• Avoid unfinished problems or premature questions that might distract learners

6. Interleaving practice enhances skill transfer and performance

"Interleaving is a practice technique that mixes and matches chunks to ensure they do not accidentally blend and are easier to access in the future."

Interleaving involves practicing multiple related skills in a mixed, unpredictable order. This approach:

• Prevents the formation of overly rigid skill sequences
• Improves ability to access and apply skills flexibly
• Enhances transfer of skills to novel situations

Key considerations:

• Teach individual skills before interleaving
• Use interleaving for unpredictable performance scenarios
• Combine interleaving with deliberate practice for optimal results

While interleaving may feel more challenging during practice, it leads to superior long-term performance and skill transfer.

7. Embracing errors leads to deeper learning and better predictions

"Errors alert us that there is a discrepancy between our predictions and reality."

The error alarm, triggered by the anterior cingulate cortex, signals a mismatch between our mental models and reality. This process is crucial for updating our understanding and improving future predictions.

Strategies to leverage errors for learning:

• Foster a culture that views errors as learning opportunities
• Use common misconceptions to highlight and correct errors
• Develop error categories specific to your field
• Provide effective feedback that clarifies goals, highlights discrepancies, and suggests next steps

Remember that awareness of errors is key to learning from them. Encourage learners to engage with errors rather than ignore or avoid them.

8. Active recall strengthens memories more than passive review

"Retrieval is the key to forming deep, lasting and accessible memories."

The memory triumvirate consists of encoding, storage, and retrieval. While many focus on the first two, retrieval is the most critical for forming strong, lasting memories.

Three methods of retrieval, in order of effectiveness:

1. Recall: Purely internal process, strongest memory formation
2. Recognition: Mix of external and internal processes
3. Review: Purely external, weakest memory formation

Strategies to incorporate active recall:

• Use flashcards with recall and feedback
• Implement post-meeting recall sessions
• Encourage learners to translate highlighted text into their own words and questions

9. Priming shapes perception and influences learning outcomes

"The brain holds onto recent associations and links them to new information (cause-and-effect)."

Priming activates specific mental associations that influence how we interpret and respond to subsequent information. Three types of priming:

1. Concept priming: Activates facts to guide comprehension
2. Expectancy priming: Activates expectations to guide perception and reaction
3. Strategy priming: Activates procedures to guide performance

Applications of priming:

• Use emotional first impressions to set the tone for learning
• Review relevant concepts before introducing new material
• Design warm-up activities that align with desired learning strategies
• Demonstrate both physical and cognitive strategies when teaching new skills

Be aware that priming effects can be easily broken by awareness, so use them judiciously and in support of other learning strategies.

10. Stories create powerful memory landmarks and guide understanding

"Stories are like mental Eiffel Towers: they create prominent, indelible impressions within our minds, making them ideal memory landmarks around which to construct and organize association networks."

Stories as memory landmarks serve three key functions:

1. Mimic the brain's natural cause-and-effect thinking
2. Allow for mental and emotional simulation
3. Foster connection between storyteller and audience through neural coupling

Effective use of stories in learning:

• Open sessions with relevant, engaging stories
• Use stories to introduce new topics and create initial frameworks
• Encourage learners to share personal stories related to the material
• Adapt story complexity to match audience expertise

Remember that while stories are powerful tools, they should support rather than replace other learning strategies.

11. Moderate stress boosts learning, while extreme stress hinders it

"Moderate stress can boost memories and general learning (though high stress and no stress can be detrimental)."

The stress response involves several key players:

• Hippocampus: Gateway to memory
• Amygdala: Selector of emotions
• Cortisol: Primary stress hormone
• Norepinephrine: Secondary stress hormone
• ARC-proteins: Combat cortisol and strengthen neurons
• FGF2: Leads to growth of new neurons

Effects of stress on learning:

• Short-term, moderate stress: Strengthens existing neurons and promotes growth of new ones
• Long-term, high stress: Kills neurons and impairs memory formation
• No stress: Leads to natural degradation of neurons

Strategies to leverage stress for learning:

• Create psychologically safe learning environments
• Incorporate novelty and unpredictability to maintain moderate stress levels
• Teach physical and mental de-stressing techniques

12. Distributed practice over time solidifies long-term memory

"If practice is broken up and distributed over an extended period, this will lead to longer lasting memories than if the same amount of practice is crammed into a single, long session."

Distributed practice combats the forgetting curve by spacing out learning and review sessions over time. This approach is effective due to three key factors:

1. Variability: Practice occurs across different contexts
2. Retrieval: Multiple opportunities to access and strengthen memories
3. Consolidation: Allows for sleep-based memory reinforcement

Guidelines for distributed practice:

• For 1-week deadlines: Practice daily
• For 1-month deadlines: Practice weekly
• For 1-year deadlines: Practice monthly

To maintain long-term memories, gradually increase the intervals between practice sessions. Combine distributed practice with other learning strategies for optimal results.

Last updated: March 21, 2025