Author says studying produces a negative result

[YCGP]

One author who shall remain nameless has stated that somethings studying something makes you less able.
Have you heard of this?
I wish to understand what he means... what constitutes studying. If you read a chapter and can answer questions on the topic, does this count as studying?

I am trying to decide whether to look into certain topics as it may be more wise to leave them alone now that I have a very basic (introductory) knowledge.

 

[Radagast]

One author who shall remain nameless has stated that somethings studying something makes you less able.

Somebody who you won't name said something you're not properly describing.

Can't really respond to that.

 

[YCGP]

He said that that sometimes when you study something, you actually become less able to do it. If I were to study physiology, I would be running the risk of being less able to actually use good physiology (or body language).

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Maybe he means "paralysis by analysis".

 

[Radagast]

He said that that sometimes when you study something, you actually become less able to do it. If I were to study physiology, I would be running the risk of being less able to actually use good physiology (or body language).

Either it's garbage, or you've misunderstood him.

 

[Zoii]

From what Ive seen, at least in my country - too many people want to say things without studying the facts first. Id say not studying enough is a far greater problem

 

[thesunisout]

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

 

[.Mikha'el.]

One author who shall remain nameless has stated that somethings studying something makes you less able.
Have you heard of this?
I wish to understand what he means... what constitutes studying. If you read a chapter and can answer questions on the topic, does this count as studying?

I am trying to decide whether to look into certain topics as it may be more wise to leave them alone now that I have a very basic (introductory) knowledge.

If he meant trying to "cram" for a test by trying to learn too much material in too little time, I'd agree. I don't see how reading and reviewing to understand something would have that effect though.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

That fact that most 'knowledge' acquired through intense study is soon forgotten indicates that it wasn't really 'learned' in the first place. To really learn something you have to work with it for awhile. Our education system, with it's high pressure time schedule, doesn't really allow this. So it is those with a good memory, along with other conditions favorable to learning, that rise to the top. The A-F grading system reveals that all levels of learning are anticipated. This is sad because most people are well able to master most subjects given the right conditions.

 

[AMOG]

That fact that most 'knowledge' acquired through intense study is soon forgotten indicates that it wasn't really 'learned' in the first place. To really learn something you have to work with it for awhile. Our education system, with it's high pressure time schedule, doesn't really allow this. So it is those with a good memory, along with other conditions favorable to learning, that rise to the top. The A-F grading system reveals that all levels of learning are anticipated. This is sad because most people are well able to master most subjects given the right conditions.

The old wise guy got it right. Studying doesn't really help you truly learn something.

The other possible problem, and this isn't exactly what you said, but it happens is that people often put off ACTION until they have more time to study something, thus the studying hampers the activity. this is common among Christians that feel they have to learn a little more before they can testify to their friends about God. Needing to learn more is often an excuse for lack of action.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The old wise guy got it right. Studying doesn't really help you truly learn something.

The other possible problem, and this isn't exactly what you said, but it happens is that people often put off ACTION until they have more time to study something, thus the studying hampers the activity. this is common among Christians that feel they have to learn a little more before they can testify to their friends about God. Needing to learn more is often an excuse for lack of action.

It's called "paralysis by analysis".

 

[The Barbarian]

He said that that sometimes when you study something, you actually become less able to do it. If I were to study physiology, I would be running the risk of being less able to actually use good physiology (or body language).

Study always worked for me. In my 60s, I decided to learn to build things. My chosen way was You Tube videos. Whatever I wanted to be able to do, I studied as many of the videos as I could. And it worked.

So maybe it depends on you studying in a way that works for you. The whole idea seems vaguely zenlike, "the harder you try, the farther you get from understanding."

I think approaching it as fun, as an adventure, would keep that from happening.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Study always worked for me. In my 60s, I decided to learn to build things. My chosen way was You Tube videos. Whatever I wanted to be able to do, I studied as many of the videos as I could. And it worked.

So maybe it depends on you studying in a way that works for you. The whole idea seems vaguely zenlike, "the harder you try, the farther you get from understanding."

I think approaching it as fun, as an adventure, would keep that from happening.

It's much easier to learn about something that you are truly interested in than something you are not.

 

[The Barbarian]

I used to teach a learning technique that got around that. My lecture started:

"How often have you read an assignment, and after you were done, didn't learn a thing from it?"

(I raise my hand with everyone else)

"How would it be, if I showed you a technique for learning, that works, even if you don't care at all about the subject?"

Then I present:

Marking text for learning
https://www.sps186.org/downloads/blurbs/23663/Marking The Text.pdf

Works for me, and for almost all students who actually do it. Worth a try.