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so the harder you think about it, the less you are able to learn?

• MarkPNeyer 12y ago
  there is a difference between implicit and explicit learning. implicit learning is knowing how to react to a given situation. explicit learning is knowing why that is. implict learning is what google translate does. 'this goes with this, that goes with that.' why? 'because, this goes with this, that goes with that.'
• trentonstrong 12y ago
  That's what came to mind first for me as well, but I think it's important to note that 'mindfulness' as defined in the paper is a specific type of "thinking harder". I wonder if there would be similar results if the experiments were performed with new motor skill acquisition. I know that in my own experience it seems that a combination of "mindful" practice (especially at the beginning of the learning process) with "drill" type practice seems to seal the deal most efficiently. Basically the "engram" theory.
• cratermoon 12y ago
  No, it means that you learn more explicitly, with more awareness of what you are learning.
• PeterWhittaker 12y ago
  (See my other comments) Basically, no: implicit learning requires you to think as hard as possible about nothing else, at least at first. Mindfulness takes some of your thinking away from the task you are learning and directs it at meta-thinking, if you will, observing what you are thinking about. This reduced attention to the task at hand appears to cause you to take longer to learn that task. EDIT: Fixed prepositions, missing word.