Become a fast learner, how:

Becoming a fast learner isn’t about being “smarter” , it’s about how you learn. The good news: the skills are very trainable. Here’s a clean, practical framework that actually works.

**1. Learn actively, not passively**

Fast learners don’t just read or listen, they interact with the material.

Do this instead:

Ask “How would I explain this to a 12-year-old?”
Summarize from memory before rereading
Teach it out loud (even to an imaginary person)If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t know it yet.

2. Focus on first principles

Don’t memorize steps, understand the why.

Break ideas down to core rules
Ask: What must be true for this to work?
Look for cause, effect, not surface facts

This dramatically reduces what you need to remember

3. Use the 80/20 rule

Most subjects have a small core that gives most of the payoff.

Ask early:

What 20% of this topic gives 80% of results?
What do experts rely on repeatedly?

Master the core before chasing details.

4. Learn in short, intense bursts

Your brain learns faster with focus + recovery.

25–45 minutes of deep focus
No multitasking
Take real breaks (walk, stretch, breathe)

Long, distracted sessions feel productive but aren’t.

5. Make mistakes fast (and on purpose)

Fast learners test early and often.

Try problems before fully “knowing” the material
Guess, fail, adjust
Treat errors as data, not failure

Mistakes encode learning deeper than success.

6. Connect new info to what you already know

Your brain loves patterns.

Ask: What is this similar to?
Use metaphors and analogies
Link new ideas to familiar concepts

Isolated facts fade. Connected ideas stick.

7. Use spaced repetition

Revisit material right before you forget it.

Review after 1 day, 1 week, 1 month
Flashcards work, but only if they test recall, not recognition

Short reviews beat cramming every time.

8. Protect your energy

Fast learning needs a regulated nervous system.

Sleep > caffeine
Light movement boosts memory
Stress slows learning dramatically

A calm brain learns faster than an anxious one.

9. Adopt a learner’s identity

The biggest accelerator is mindset.

Replace “I’m bad at this” with “I’m not trained yet”
Stay curious instead of evaluative
Optimize for progress, not perfection

Fast learners see learning as a process, not a test.

Shervan K Shahhian

Behavior Analysis, what is it:

Behavior analysis is the scientific study of how behavior works, specifically how behavior is learned, maintained, and changed by interactions with the environment.

At its core, it asks:

What happens before a behavior, what the behavior is, and what happens after that makes it more or less likely to happen again?

The basics

Behavior analysis focuses on observable behavior (what people do) and the conditions that shape it, rather than on assumptions about hidden causes.

A classic framework is the ABC model:

A – Antecedents: What happens right before the behavior
B – Behavior: The action itself
C – Consequences: What follows the behavior and influences whether it repeats

Key principles

Behavior is learned through experience
Consequences matter (reinforcement increases behavior; punishment decreases it)
Context matters (environment, cues, history, and current needs)
Function matters more than form (why a behavior happens is more important than what it looks like)

For example, two people might withdraw socially for totally different reasons,

avoidance of anxiety vs. conserving energy, so the function differs even if the behavior looks the same.

What behavior analysis is used for

Understanding habits and patterns
Behavior change (education, therapy, organizations)
Skill building
Reducing harmful or ineffective behaviors
Designing environments that support desired behavior

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

ABA is a practical application of behavior analysis principles, commonly used in:

Autism support
Education
Behavioral health
Organizational behavior management

When done well, ABA is data-driven, individualized, and ethical, focusing on meaningful outcomes and quality of life.

How it differs from other approaches

It emphasizes what can be observed and measured
It avoids speculation unless it can be tested
It complements cognitive and emotional models rather than replacing them

In more modern practice, especially trauma-informed work, behavior analysis is often integrated with:

Emotional regulation
Somatic awareness
Cognitive processes
Contextual and relational factor
Shervan K Shahhian

Legal Psychology, explained:

Understanding the field of Legal psychology more generally recognized as “psychology and law”:

Legal psychology, also known as psychology and law, is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles of psychology and the legal system. It encompasses the application of psychological research, theories, and methods to various aspects of the legal process, including the study of human behavior, cognition, and decision-making in legal contexts.

Legal psychology encompasses a wide range of topics and areas of study, including:

Eyewitness Testimony: Research in this area examines the accuracy and reliability of eyewitness testimony, factors that influence memory, and techniques for improving eyewitness identification procedures.

Interrogations and Confessions: Legal psychologists study the psychological processes underlying interrogations and confessions, including the impact of interrogation techniques, false confessions, and the role of suggestibility.

Jury Decision-Making: This area explores how jurors process and evaluate evidence, the influence of pretrial publicity and bias on jury decision-making, and the effectiveness of different trial strategies.

Police Psychology: Legal psychologists may work with law enforcement agencies to evaluate officer selection and training methods, assess the psychological impact of police work, and provide expertise in areas such as hostage negotiation and crisis intervention.

Legal Competence and Mental Health: Legal psychologists assess the mental competence of individuals involved in legal proceedings, such as defendants’ competency to stand trial or witnesses’ competency to testify. They also examine the relationship between mental health and legal outcomes.

Juvenile Justice: This area focuses on understanding the psychological development of children and adolescents involved in the legal system, including issues related to juvenile offenders, child custody evaluations, and interventions for at-risk youth.

Risk Assessment and Forensic Evaluation: Legal psychologists may conduct risk assessments and forensic evaluations to assess the likelihood of future dangerous behavior, evaluate offenders’ mental health, or provide expert testimony on psychological issues in legal cases.

Legal Decision-Making: Legal psychology examines the decision-making processes of judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals, exploring factors that may influence judgments, biases, and the impact of legal reforms.

Legal psychologists can work in a variety of settings, including academic institutions, research organizations, government agencies, law enforcement, forensic facilities, and private practice. Their work often involves conducting research, providing expert testimony, consulting with legal professionals, and developing policies and interventions to improve the legal system.

Overall, legal psychology aims to bridge the gap between psychology and the law by applying psychological principles to enhance our understanding of legal phenomena and contribute to the development of more effective and fair legal practices.

Shervan K Shahhian

Dyslexia, reality and myth:

A clear overview of dyslexia: separating reality from myth:

What Dyslexia Really Is

Definition: Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental condition that primarily affects reading, spelling, and sometimes writing, despite adequate intelligence and educational opportunities.
Brain Basis: People with dyslexia often have differences in phonological processing—the ability to identify and manipulate sounds in language.
Common Signs:
- Difficulty decoding words and reading fluently
- Confusing letters or words that look similar (e.g., b/d, was/saw)
- Slow or effortful reading
- Challenges in spelling
- Sometimes difficulties with short-term memory, sequencing, or processing speed
Strengths Often Seen:
- Creative thinking and problem-solving
- Strong verbal reasoning or storytelling skills
- Visual-spatial strengths

Common Myths About Dyslexia

Myth: Dyslexia is just seeing letters backward.
Reality: Letter reversals may occur but are not the core issue. Dyslexia is about language processing, not vision.
Myth: People with dyslexia are less intelligent.
Reality: Dyslexia is unrelated to IQ. Many people with dyslexia are highly intelligent.
Myth: Dyslexia can be “cured.”
Reality: Dyslexia is a lifelong difference, but effective interventions and strategies can help people read and write successfully.
Myth: Only children have dyslexia.
Reality: Dyslexia persists into adulthood; early identification helps, but adults can still develop coping strategies.
Myth: Dyslexia is caused by poor teaching or laziness.
Reality: Dyslexia is neurologically based, not the result of laziness or lack of effort.

Effective Strategies

Multisensory Reading Programs: Programs like Orton-Gillingham or Wilson use visual, auditory, and tactile methods.
Assistive Technology: Text-to-speech, audiobooks, and spell-checkers can be very helpful.
Accommodations: Extra time on tests, breaking tasks into steps, and note-taking assistance.
Strength-Based Approach: Encourage skills in problem-solving, creativity, and verbal reasoning.

Key Takeaways

Dyslexia is a neurological difference, not a lack of intelligence.
Early intervention improves outcomes, but strategies can help any age group.
Myths often stigmatize dyslexia and can lower confidence unnecessarily.
Understanding dyslexia from a strengths and challenges perspective is essential for realistic support.
Shervan K Shahhian

Social Influence Theories, a explanation:

Social Influence Theories, a explanation:

Social Influence Theories explain how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by the presence or actions of others.

Here are the major theories and models:

1. Conformity Theory

Core Idea: People tend to conform to group norms to fit in or avoid rejection.
Famous Study: Asch’s line judgment experiment — participants gave wrong answers to match the group.
Types:
Normative conformity: to be liked or accepted.
Informational conformity: to be correct or well-informed.

2. Obedience Theory

Core Idea: Individuals comply with authority figures, even against their moral judgments.
Famous Study: Milgram’s shock experiment — participants administered “shocks” to others under authority pressure.

3. Social Learning Theory

Core Idea: People learn behaviors by observing and imitating others, especially role models.
Key Components: Attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.
Famous Study: Bobo doll experiment — children imitated aggressive behavior modeled by adults.

4. Social Identity Theory

Core Idea: People define themselves by group membership (e.g., nationality, religion).
Effects:
In-group favoritism.
Out-group discrimination.
Group-based behavior and cohesion.

5. Minority Influence Theory

Core Idea: A consistent, confident minority can influence the majority over time.
Conditions for Influence:
Consistency.
Confidence.
Not rigid or dogmatic.

6. Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Core Idea: Inconsistency between beliefs and behavior causes discomfort, motivating change.
Example: If someone believes smoking is bad but smokes, they may change the belief or behavior to reduce dissonance.

7. Elaboration Likelihood Model

Core Idea: There are two routes to persuasion:
Central Route: deep, thoughtful consideration of arguments.
Peripheral Route: superficial cues (e.g., attractiveness, repetition).

8. Normative and Informational Social Influence

Normative Influence: Conforming to be liked or accepted (peer pressure).
Informational Influence: Conforming to gain accurate information (following experts or majority in ambiguous situations).

9. Social Facilitation and Inhibition

Social Facilitation: Performance improves on easy tasks when others are present.
Social Inhibition: Performance worsens on difficult tasks due to social pressure.

10. Theory of Planned Behavior

Core Idea: Behavior is guided by:
Attitudes toward the behavior.
Subjective norms (what others expect).
Perceived behavioral control.

Shervan K Shahhian

Fostering a Culture of Lifelong Learning and Humility, how:

Fostering a Culture of Lifelong Learning and Humility, how:

Fostering a culture of lifelong learning and humility — whether in a school, workplace, community, or personal life — requires intentional structures, modeling, and attitudes.

Here’s how to cultivate both:

1. Model Lifelong Learning

Leaders go first: Teachers, managers, parents, or team leaders should demonstrate curiosity and share what they’re currently learning.
Normalize phrases like:
“I don’t know, but I’d love to find out.”
“Here’s something I recently discovered…”

2. Encourage Growth Mindset (Carol Dweck’s Work)

Frame intelligence and skills as developable, not fixed.
Praise effort, strategy, and progress over innate ability.
Instead of: “You’re so smart,” say: “You’ve worked hard at this.”

3. Create Access to Learning Opportunities

Offer and promote ongoing learning through:
Online courses, books, lectures, training
Internal knowledge-sharing sessions
Funding for continuing education

4. Celebrate Questions, Not Just Answers

Design environments where asking questions is more valued than having the right answers.
Build in:
“Question of the day” practices
Reflection prompts like “What did I unlearn today?”

5. Promote Intellectual Humility

Encourage people to:
Change their minds when shown new evidence.
Recognize cognitive biases and blind spots.
Use language like:
“I might be wrong…” or “I see your point — let me rethink mine.”

6. Diverse Perspectives = Learning Opportunities

Expose people to different cultures, viewpoints, and disciplines.
Emphasize the idea that no one person or group has all the answers.

7. Feedback Culture

Promote constructive feedback as a growth tool.
Encourage a two-way street:
Leaders ask for feedback from junior team members.
Students critique teachers respectfully.

8. Institutionalize It

Build lifelong learning into:
Performance reviews
Mission statements
Job descriptions or school rubrics
Mentorship or peer-learning program

9. Encourage Reflective Practice

Include regular time for:
Journaling
Team retrospectives
Self-assessments
Ask questions like:
“What did you learn this week?”
“What mistake taught you the most?”

10. Embrace Mistakes and Uncertainty

Cultivate safety around not knowing.
Reinforce that mistakes are essential data in the learning process.
Share stories of “failures that led to growth.”

Shervan K Shahhian

Writing an in-depth personal essay, why:

Writing an in-depth personal essay, why:

Writing an in-depth personal essay can serve a variety of powerful purposes — intellectually, emotionally, creatively, and even spiritually.

Here are some layered reasons why one might write a personal essay:

1. To Understand Yourself More Deeply
Writing forces clarity. When you try to put your experiences into words, you begin to see patterns, connect events, and uncover meanings you might have missed. It’s a tool for self-analysis.

“I write to know what I think.” — Joan Didion

Your own story, when explored deeply, becomes a mirror. It reveals not just what happened, but how you were shaped by it — and how you’ve shaped yourself since.

2. To Heal and Transform
An in-depth personal essay can be a healing act. Putting painful or complex experiences into language can be cathartic, even liberating. In psychology, this is similar to the therapeutic process of narrative therapy — rewriting the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.

Writing gives you authorship over your life’s narrative, helping you move from being a character in the story to becoming its conscious narrator.

3. To Make Meaning of the Human Experience
What seems personal often resonates universally. Your specific struggles, insights, and transformations might echo in someone else’s life. An in-depth essay can be a bridge — between your inner world and the collective human experience.

Personal becomes universal when it’s written honestly and insightfully.

4. To Preserve a Moment in Time
Our memories fade, our perspectives shift. Writing a personal essay is like freezing a piece of your life in amber. It preserves not just the facts, but the emotions, the questions, and the state of being that surrounded a moment in your life.

5. To Share Wisdom or Inspire Others
Sometimes, your story contains hard-won truths, spiritual insights, or lived wisdom that others might benefit from. A personal essay can be an offering — a kind of soul-to-soul transmission.

Especially if you’re someone walking a path of exploration, healing, or awakening, your words can be a light for others navigating similar terrain.

6. To Develop as a Writer and Thinker
Writing a personal essay hones your craft: it builds voice, style, structure, and perspective. It’s where the memoirist meets the philosopher, the storyteller meets the investigator.

It asks:

What is really going on with me?

What does this say about the world?

How can I express this with beauty, honesty, and precision?

Shervan K Shahhian

Understanding Late Diagnosed ADHD:

Understanding Late Diagnosed ADHD:

Late-diagnosed ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) refers to individuals who receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood rather than in childhood. This is becoming more common as awareness of ADHD in adults grows, especially in cases where symptoms were overlooked, misdiagnosed, or masked due to coping mechanisms.

Key Aspects of Late-Diagnosed ADHD:

1. Why Is ADHD Missed Until Adulthood?

Masking & Coping Strategies: Many adults with ADHD develop compensatory strategies that help them function, often leading to the condition going unnoticed.
Misdiagnosis: ADHD symptoms may be mistaken for anxiety, depression, or personality disorders.
Gender Bias: Women and girls, in particular, are often underdiagnosed due to presenting with inattentiveness rather than hyperactivity.
High Intelligence or Structure: Some individuals with ADHD thrive in structured environments (e.g., school), but struggle when that structure disappears in adulthood.

2. Common Symptoms in Adults

Executive Dysfunction: Difficulty with organization, time management, and prioritization.
Forgetfulness & Procrastination: Struggling to complete tasks, meet deadlines, or remember obligations.
Impulsivity & Emotional Dysregulation: Mood swings, frustration, and difficulty with impulse control.
Hyperfocus & Distractibility: Difficulty maintaining focus on necessary tasks but becoming deeply absorbed in specific interests.
Relationship & Work Challenges: Struggles with maintaining relationships, career stability, or finances.

3. Psychological Impact of a Late Diagnosis

Relief & Validation: Understanding that struggles weren’t due to laziness or personal failure.
Grief & Regret: Realizing missed opportunities or wondering how life might have been different with earlier support.
Identity Reframing: Learning to see oneself through a new lens and adjusting personal expectations.

4. Managing ADHD After a Late Diagnosis

See a Psychiatrist for Medications: Stimulants (non-stimulants might help with symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps develop practical coping strategies and address negative thought patterns.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Exercise, sleep regulation, mindfulness, and structured routines.
Community & Support Groups: Connecting with others who share similar experiences.

Final Thoughts

Getting diagnosed later in life can be a transformative experience. It can bring clarity to past struggles and open doors to new ways of managing challenges. While there may be a period of adjustment, many people find that understanding their ADHD leads to increased self-acceptance and improved quality of life.

Shervan K Shahhian

Understanding the 7 Types of ADD:

https://danielamenmd.com

Understanding the 7 Types of ADD:

Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist specializing in brain health, identified seven types of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) based on brain imaging studies. These types go beyond the traditional understanding of ADHD as just hyperactive or inattentive. Each type has different symptoms and

The 7 Types of ADD:

Classic ADD

Symptoms: Inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, hyperactivity, restlessness.
Brain Pattern: Decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex when focusing.
Treatment: Stimulant medications (e.g., Ritalin, Adderall), exercise, protein-rich diet.

Inattentive ADD

Symptoms: Easily distracted, disorganized, forgetful, trouble following through.
Brain Pattern: Reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex.
Treatment: Stimulants, diet, coaching for structure and organization.

Over-Focused ADD

Symptoms: Trouble shifting attention, obsessive thoughts, difficulty with flexibility, opposition to change.

Brain Pattern: Overactivity in the anterior cingulate gyrus.
Treatment: Strategies to increase dopamine and serotonin (e.g., exercise, meditation, supplements).

Temporal Lobe ADD

Symptoms: Irritability, mood swings, memory problems, aggression, temper outbursts.
Brain Pattern: Dysfunction in the temporal lobes.
Treatment: Anticonvulsants, psychotherapy, relaxation techniques.

Limbic ADD

Symptoms: Persistent sadness, low energy, low self-esteem, negativity, but without full clinical depression.

Brain Pattern: Overactivity in the limbic system.
Treatment: Boosting dopamine (e.g., exercise, bright light therapy), targeted medications.

Ring of Fire ADD

Symptoms: Extreme moodiness, overreaction, anxiety, sensitivity to sounds and lights, oppositional behavior.
Brain Pattern: Hyperactivity across the brain.
Treatment: Elimination diets (to remove food sensitivities), calming supplements (e.g., GABA, magnesium), lifestyle adjustments.

Anxious ADD

Symptoms: Inattention combined with chronic anxiety, physical stress symptoms, fearfulness, tension.
Brain Pattern: Overactivity in the basal ganglia.
Treatment: Relaxation strategies, GABA-promoting foods, supplements, and sometimes anti-anxiety medication.

Each type responds differently to treatments, which is why a personalized approach is key. Dr. Amen emphasizes brain imaging and lifestyle modifications alongside medication and therapy.

https://danielamenmd.com

Shervan K Shahhian

Understanding Theories in interpersonal communication:

Interpersonal communication is a complex field of study that focuses on how people interact and communicate with each other. There are several theories in interpersonal communication that help us understand the dynamics and processes involved in our interactions. Here are some key theories in this field:

Social Penetration Theory: This theory, proposed by Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor, suggests that interpersonal relationships develop through a gradual process of self-disclosure. As individuals disclose more personal information, their relationship deepens and becomes more intimate.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory: Developed by Charles Berger and Richard Calabrese, this theory explores how individuals seek to reduce uncertainty about others during initial interactions. It suggests that people engage in communication to gather information and predict the behavior of others, thereby reducing uncertainty and increasing the likelihood of forming relationships.

Social Exchange Theory: This theory, influenced by economics, views relationships as a series of exchanges involving rewards and costs. It suggests that people evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of a relationship and make decisions based on the perceived value they receive from it.

Relational Dialectics Theory: According to this theory, developed by Leslie Baxter and Barbara Montgomery, relationships are characterized by inherent tensions arising from opposing desires. These tensions include autonomy/connection, openness/closedness, and predictability/novelty. The theory emphasizes that relational partners must navigate and manage these tensions for the relationship to thrive.

Communication Privacy Management Theory: This theory, proposed by Sandra Petronio, explores how individuals manage privacy boundaries in their interactions. It suggests that people create rules to govern the disclosure and concealment of private information, and violations of these boundaries can impact relationships.

Communication Accommodation Theory: Developed by Howard Giles, this theory examines how individuals adjust their communication style to match or differ from that of their conversation partner. It emphasizes that accommodation can occur through convergence (similarities) or divergence (differences), and these choices can affect relationship outcomes.

Expectancy Violations Theory: This theory, formulated by Judee Burgoon, focuses on how individuals react when others violate their expectations in communication. It suggests that unexpected behaviors or violations can either create positive or negative impressions, depending on factors such as the communicator’s credibility and the nature of the violation.

These theories provide frameworks for understanding the various aspects of interpersonal communication, including relationship development, uncertainty management, relational dynamics, privacy, accommodation, and the impact of violated expectations. They help researchers and practitioners analyze and improve communication processes in personal and professional relationships.

Shervan K Shahhian