Human Cognition is More Reactive Than You Think

In today's New York Times there is a great article, Who's Minding the Mind?, by BENEDICT CAREY that sums up a large number of research studies on human cognition that show that human beings are more reactive than we might think. We tend to believe that we, as human beings, are very proactive and consciously in control of our thoughts and actions; but these studies show that much of what we do and think is due to hard-wired, often unconscious processes.

For example, the article cites how sitting near a briefcase (as opposed to a backpack) can make people more competitive. Or as Carey writes:

New studies have found that people tidy up more thoroughly when there’s a faint tang of cleaning liquid in the air; they become more competitive if there’s a briefcase in sight, or more cooperative if they glimpse words like “dependable” and “support” — all without being aware of the change, or what prompted it.

This basic fact about human behavior is relevant to the learning and performance field, of course. One of the things I've talked about for years is the notion of "spontaneous remembering." If we create learning right, we're more likely to help our learners—when they're on the job at a later time—by helping them spontaneously trigger memories of what they've learned. We can do this best by requiring our learners to utilize realistic cues in the learning context in making real-world decisions and taking real-world actions. This is why simulations are so effective (if they are well designed).

When learners process learning objectives or prequestions before encountering learning material, the learners are primed to pay attention to relevant learning material. It's not necessarily a conscious process, but it works.

There are many examples available, but here's another point: The learner-centric movement of the 1990's and 2000's has relied too heavily on the notion that the learners always know best, and that they are in conscious control of their learning and we just need to let them make the best decisions.

When we realize that our learners are more deterministically driven than the we want to believe (its about free will a little, isn't it?), we have more work to do if we really want to drive maximum performance. Even when our clients consciously want to do something, we may be able to help them reach their goals by setting up learning and performance situations that unconsciously trigger the behavior they want to achieve.

Comments

[By Tes land]

Very good topic for discussion!This is the most informed writing I’ve ever seen on this subject.I'm just writing a review on the subject of psychological distsypline.It helps a lot!Now I have a wide range of thoughts. thank you!

[Generic Viagra]

Thank you for sharing to us.
Please one more post about that..
I wonder how you got so good. This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. One thing I just want to say is that your Blog is so perfect!

[Networking solutions]

great post

[ガバペン]

Great tips, I would like to join your blog anyway

[Alkeran]

Hola,Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que

[careprost]

Really great post, Thank you for sharing This knowledge.
Excellently written article, if only all bloggers offered the same level of content as you, the internet would be a much better place. Please keep it up!

[Mc Arthur]

The article is worth while reading, I like it very much and which you shared the info in this post is very useful. Thanks for sharing a wonderful post.

[Seo Services India]

Wow, Great postNice work, I would like to read your blog every day Thanks

[Generic Viagra]

Grande informazione, hai un blog meraviglioso e un ottimo articolo!

[Generic Viagra]

Vänligen en mer inlägg om det .. jag behöver den här artikeln för att slutföra mitt uppdrag i kollegiet, och den har samma tema med din artikel. Tack, bra aktie.!!

[christian loubouti]

Vänligen en mer inlägg om det .. jag behöver den här artikeln för att slutföra mitt uppdrag i kollegiet, och den har samma tema med din artikel. Tack, bra aktie.!
Would you like to get famous stars' hairstyles with Christian louboutian shoes,Would you like to wear famous Hollywood stars herve leger,herve leger dress and Christian louboutian? Here we can help you. All good with big discounts and free shipping. You can also find wholesale nfl jerseys with cheapest price , Ed hardy clothing with high quality and free shipping. what could be more worthwhile?

[auto insurance quotes]

We are doing many thinks unconciously. That is why when we have bad habits it is difficult to change them.

[logo design]

There are new issues like electronic trading where getting an information a few second before anyone else can react could just be enough.

[Generic Viagra]

Es bueno estar visitando su blog de nuevo, se ha pasado meses para mí. Bueno este artículo que he estado esperando durante tanto tiempo..

[Generic Drugs Exporter]

I have wanted to learn more about particular topics, but not many websites would help me out in informing me the way I expected. This left me with many question, but after reading your article, I got an answer to all my questions. You are too cool dude!!!

[Buy Lioresal Online]

Je viens de découvrir votre site et je voulais vous dire que j'ai vraiment apprécié la navigation de votre posts.In tout cas je vais vous abonnant à votre blog et j'espère que vous publiez à nouveau prochainement

[Caverta]

I '
ben blij voor deze nuttige uitstekende pagina, dit is een vorm van onderwerp dat mij in stand, hoewel uit heb het day.We 'normaal hoort de laatste tijd willen de buurt van in je web-site rechts onmiddellijk afte

[Spiriva]

Dit is echt interessant, Je bent een zeer ervaren blogger. Ik ben bij uw feed en kijk uit naar op zoek naar meer van uw prachtige post. Ook heb ik deelde in je site in mijn sociale netwerken!

[Allegra]

Je viens de découvrir votre site et je voulais vous dire que j'ai vraiment apprécié la navigation de votre posts.In tout cas je vais vous abonnant à votre blog et j'espère que vous publiez à nouveau prochainement

[Facebook Applications]

I am proud that I am a regular visitor of this site.

Facebook Developers -  Facebook Developer -  Facebook Applications -  Facebook Application -  Facebook App -  Facebook Apps

[Facebook Developers]

You guys do pleasing work. As most things, probably time for changes, however i like your somewhat unique style you have going with the post

[Cheap NFL Jerseys]

but she felt that group with the dark shadow of breath fear of her Divine vindictiveness. Her sword tightly in his hand, divine splendor of her way forward, suddenly, she began to twist the front of the void, an intense wave of magic distributed over, the sudden appearance of a void in the black hand , stab out her sword, when the palm has been exposed to her vindictive, light Dasheng, the black hand