How to Study Effectively in College: Video 2

Introduction

• Presenter: Dr. Stephen Chew, Professor of Psychology at Samford University.
• This is the second video in a series of five about studying effectively in college.
  • First video covered beliefs that undermine learning.
  • Current video focuses on principles of learning to improve study effectiveness.

Classic Psychology Experiment: Hyde and Jenkins (1969)

• Participants: Divided into 5 groups.
• Task: Recall a list of 24 words.
• Variables:
  1. Intentional vs. Incidental Learning
     • Intentional: Forewarned about recall test.
     • Incidental: Not informed about recall test.
  2. Levels of Processing
     • Shallow Processing: Checking for the letter "e" in words.
     • Deep Processing: Rating the pleasantness of words.

Findings

• Intent to Learn: No effect on recall. Both intentional and incidental groups performed similarly.
• Level of Processing: Significant effect on recall.
  • Deep processing (meaning-based) led to better recall than shallow processing (spelling-focused).
  • Deep processing was effective regardless of the intention to learn.

Key Points

1. Deep Processing: Essential for learning regardless of intention.
2. Shallow Strategy: Ineffective even with the intention to learn.
3. Memory: Continuum from shallow to deep levels of processing.

Levels of Processing

• Shallow Processing: Focuses on superficial aspects (e.g., re-reading, memorization).
• Deep Processing: Involves meaningful engagement with material, connecting to prior knowledge.

Orienting Tasks

• Tasks that guide the depth of processing.
• Shallow Task: Checking for "e" (spelling-focused).
• Deep Task: Rating pleasantness (meaning-focused).

Important Factors in Learning

• Not Important:
  1. Intention to learn
  2. Attention
  3. Learning styles (no strong evidence to support effectiveness)
  4. Time spent
• Most Important:
  • Depth of Processing: Meaningful connections enhance learning.

Summary of Key Concepts

• Deep Processing is crucial.
• Shallow strategies hinder learning despite desire or effort.
• Upcoming videos will explore how to engage in deep processing effectively.