Chapter 2

Question 1

Prime your mental pump

Answer 1

glancing not only at the graphics, diagrams, and photos, but also at the section headings, summary, and even questions at the end of the chapter, if the book has them.

Question 2

What is Focused Thinking?

Answer 2

It involves a direct approach to solving problems using rational, sequential, analytical approaches. The focused mode is associated with the concentrating abilities of the brain’s prefrontal cortex.

Question 3

What is Diffuse Thinking?

Answer 3

Diffuse-mode thinking is what happens when you relax your attention and just let your mind wander.

This way you gain insights but before that you need to do preliminary work in the focused mode.

This thinking mode is useful when you are learning something new.

Question 4

What is the Einstellung effect? What can you do about it?

Answer 4

In this phenomenon, an idea you already have in mind, or your simple initial thought, prevents a better idea or solution from being found.

Switching modes from focused to diffuse can help free you from this effect.

Question 5

What can you do to deal with a difficult problem?

Answer 5

Evidence suggests that to grapple with a difficult problem, we must first put hard, focused-mode effort into it.

You must read the textbook, attend lectures, view online lessons, or speak with someone knowledgeable.

Then by using the diffused mode you can find innovative answers.

Question 6

EMBRACE BEFUDDLEMENT

Answer 6

Articulating your question is 80 percent of the battle. By the time you’ve figured out what’s confusing, you’re likely to have answered the question yourself!

Question 7

PAUSE AND RECALL

Answer 7

Close the book and look away. What were the main ideas of this chapter? Don’t worry if you can’t recall very much when you first begin trying this. As you continue practicing this technique, you’ll begin noticing changes in how you read and how much you recall.

Question 8

How to understand a complicated concept?

Answer 8

1. I understand better when I read the book rather than listen to someone speak, so I always read the book. I skim first so I know basically what the chapter is trying to get at and then I read it in detail. I read the chapter more than once (but not in a row).
2. If after reading the book, I still don’t fully understand what’s going on, I Google or look at YouTube videos on the subject. This isn’t because the book or professor isn’t thorough, but rather because sometimes hearing a slightly different way of phrasing something can make your mind look at the problem from a different angle and spark understanding.
3. I think most clearly when I’m driving. Sometimes I’ll just take a break and drive around—this helps a lot. I have to be somewhat occupied because if I just sit down and think I end up getting bored or distracted and can’t concentrate.