7 Psychology Secrets That School Never Taught You!

Hello! I'm Rahul Sanaodwala, the founder of StriWears and Welcome to an enlightening journey into the fascinating world of psychology! Have you ever wondered about the secrets behind how our minds work, why we remember certain things and forget others, or how our daily habits shape the way we think? These are the kinds of questions that school often skips over, but they hold the key to understanding ourselves and the world around us. In this story, we’ll dive into seven intriguing psychology secrets that you were never taught in school. From understanding how we learn best to uncovering the quirks of human perception, each of these insights will challenge your perspective and help you unlock the full potential of your mind. Let’s get started!

1. The Penny Experiment

Have you ever tried to remember what a penny looks like? Almost everyone knows right away—it’s a brown coin with Abraham Lincoln on it. But what about the rest? Do you know what the words say? Do you know what building is on the back?

This seems like something we should know, right? Most of us have seen thousands of pennies before, so why is it so difficult to remember these details?

A psychologist might tell you that you can’t remember because you never actually knew. This experience is often called mindlessness. It’s when you do something without paying attention or storing any new memories.

Think back to the last time you brushed your teeth. How much were you really paying attention? You know it happened, but your memory probably stops there. You couldn’t tell how much time you spent on each tooth or how often you looked in the mirror.

The same thing happens to many students when they study. After looking over their notes, they might realize they can’t remember anything. The problem isn’t their memory. Instead of encoding new information, they were studying mindlessly. They stopped focusing on specific pieces, and when that happens, they don’t actually learn anything.

To make the most out of everything you do, operate with intention. Try concentrating on each individual task. It may take a little more time, but you’ll remember the information when it counts.

2. The 3R Technique

The average person spends about 12 years in school. Take out summer vacation, and that’s 108 months in class, 469 weeks of reading, writing, and doing homework.

So, how is it that we can dedicate 1,340 days to learning, yet no one ever teaches us how to learn?

Students are forced to develop their own strategies to study and retain information. Some use flashcards; others create huge study guides. There are thousands of techniques, but how did they get so diverse?

First, most students try whatever they think works. They might be studying the wrong way because no one ever told them otherwise. Second, everyone learns a little differently.

The most commonly used model, often called VARK, breaks students into four learning groups:

• Visual
• Auditory
• Reading and writing
• Kinesthetic

Each group learns best through different mediums. For example, visual learners prefer pictures and diagrams, while kinesthetic learners enjoy tactile experiences.

This has always been one of the biggest arguments against the modern school system. Classes and lectures favor certain kinds of learners over others. However, schools have made an effort to level the playing field. Many teachers now mix in spatial and hands-on content to engage visual and kinesthetic learners who struggle to retain information from lectures.

But this raises another important question: If there are so many different kinds of learners, what learning techniques should people be teaching? Is there an optimal way to learn?

Yes and no.

Many researchers have discovered incredibly effective ways to revolutionize study habits. One such method is the 3R technique, developed in 2009 by developmental psychologists. This method involves:

1. Reading a chapter and taking notes.
2. Closing your book and putting your notes away.
3. Reciting as much content as you can remember, out loud.

After reciting, review everything you got wrong.

Participants who used this technique scored higher and spent less time studying. Why? Because the 3R technique engages multiple parts of the brain, making it effective for various learning styles.

Even with strategies like the 3R technique, everyone’s ideal way of learning looks a little different. Unfortunately, school rarely teaches you to identify the type of learner you are. But once you know, it can influence your career path, uncover hidden passions, and motivate you to continue learning.

No matter what kind of learner you are, never stop discovering new things.

3. Weber’s Law

This basic principle of perception is rarely mentioned, but you experience it almost every day.

Imagine you’re in a department store and see two items on sale:

1. Originally $5, now marked down to $2.
2. Originally $40, now marked down to $37.

Which is the better deal?

Most people instinctively choose the first. Even though you’re saving $3 in both cases, the pricier item hides the small discount. It seems like you’re saving less simply because you’re spending more.

Now think about standing in a crowded room. If you whispered, would the room get louder? No. You’d have to yell to make a difference in the room’s overall volume. But if only one other person were in the room, they could easily hear your whisper.

In different contexts, the same stimulus can completely change your perception of the world around you.

4. Mental Rewiring

Learning affects more than just what you know. The way you learn actually changes the way you think.

You develop habits, cognitive models, and unique thought patterns. These patterns activate new neurons and strengthen certain connections in your brain while leaving others unused.

Schools teach you what you need to know but often overlook how that knowledge might change who you are.

5. Cognitive Upkeep

Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s just like riding a bike”? It suggests that once you learn something, you never forget it.

But even riding a bike isn’t quite like that. While your body remembers how to balance, pedal, and steer, you won’t be as good after years of not practicing.

Your physical and cognitive abilities need regular exercise to stay sharp. Whether it’s math, dancing, or playing video games, consistent practice is key to maintaining your talents.

6. The Barnum Effect

School teaches you to be logical, but humans are full of contradictions. Educated or not, we make unreasonable assumptions and uphold absurd biases.

For instance, when food looks better, doesn’t it taste better too? Or when someone is better looking, do they seem more confident?

This is the Barnum Effect—a tendency to see what we want to see. Named after showman P.T. Barnum, this phenomenon explains why we believe in fortune cookies or personality tests, even when their results could apply to almost anyone.

7. A Small World

Have you played the game, “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”? It’s based on the idea that everyone is, on average, six connections apart.

This concept stems from Stanley Milgram’s Small World Experiment, where he found that connecting people across states took just 5.2 connections.

It’s a reminder that the world might not be as big as it feels.

Psychology is full of hidden gems that can change the way we think, learn, and live. The seven secrets we explored today are just the tip of the iceberg. By applying these insights, you can sharpen your memory, improve your learning techniques, and even gain a better understanding of yourself and others. Remember, the mind is an incredibly powerful tool, and knowing how to use it effectively is the first step toward personal growth and success. If you found these concepts as fascinating as we did, don’t forget to share this knowledge with others and keep exploring the wonders of psychology. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and stay tuned for more incredible content to fuel your curiosity!