Monday, June 14, 2010

doodle diary 6/14



In a study, scientists asked subjects to recall what they'd just heard in recordings—with some having doodled throughout, others not. The doodlers demonstrated significantly higher recall than the non-doodlers.

"People may doodle as a strategy to help themselves concentrate," said study co-author Jackie Andrade, a University of Plymouth psychologist. "We might not be aware that we're doing it, but it could be a trick that people develop because it helps them from wandering off into a daydream."

How does it work? The scientists hypothesize the mental load it takes to absentmindedly draw is significantly smaller than the demands of a full-on fantasy, which leads your mind entirely away from the event you're supposed to be engaged in. That trickle of attention devoted to doodling appears to keep you focused in the present time, while giving you a release valve from a frustratingly over-long group session.

lifehacker.com

7 comments:

Chef E said...

It worked for me at least 70 percent of the time, otherwise I discovered cool characters for future stories that never got written-

I wrote a piece for you, I will put up soon...

Chris said...

I'm sorry, what were you saying? I was doodling;)

Paula said...

I find this interesting.

Debra said...

it's hard to doodle and crochet at the same time, that's why you've not seen le mon in a looooooooong time. however, i've been on the phone a lot lately, with a pen in hand and a pad of paper in front of me on the table~~when not documenting the conversation/information, i'm doodling squiggleeZ.

Anonymous said...

Eating an apple while someone is talking helps me....seriously. I pay better attention.

Miss you. ~Mary

sim warford said...

Well, I doodled in the margins of all my notebooks during college--and I graduated.

Big Mark 243 said...

Right now, I don't know what would hold my attention and sharpen my focus... maybe the possible relief from misery and memory.