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Old 03-17-2009, 04:29 PM   #2
Pie
Gone and done
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,808
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clodfobble View Post
I read a study awhile back
Was it this one? I found it fascinating -- no less so because I used the exact same techniques on my 33-year-old husband, starting his first semester in graduate school.

"See? You are as smart as those kids!"
- vs. -
"Wow, I guess all that time spent on the homework really helped!"

One gives them actionable advice; the other just encourages them not to look stupid (hard to do when you're taking on something that truly is challenging). It applies to adults just as well as children.
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per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions
The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.
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