Mindset Can Influence Learning & Memory Formation, Study Finds

In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), two researchers from Duke University School of Medicine set out to analyze learning outcomes when the brain is in a curious mindset (known as interrogative motivation) compared to an urgent one (known as imperative motivation). 

Results showed that those who had a curious mindset had better long-term memory, while those with more urgent mindsets had improved performance at the moment. 

The method used in this study was quite interesting: Researchers had a group of 420 participants play a video game that simulated an art heist from a large museum. 

To evoke a curious mindset, researchers had half of the group play as if they were scouting the museum for a future heist. They triggered an urgent mindset by telling the other half of the participants that they had to embark on the heist at that moment and steal as much artwork as they could. 

Within the game, participants had to enter different rooms with unique colored doors to unlock art pieces and see their value. 

While all participants played the same game, their memory and takeaways from the game were different the next day. 

After the game, researchers asked the groups about the paintings they had seen. First, they asked whether or not the participants recognized the painting. If it was familiar, they asked how much it was worth. 

Turns out, the curious group had a better memory of the paintings and their value. They recognized more paintings and could match the paintings to their dollar value better than the urgent group. In addition, higher-valued paintings were more likely to be remembered, as they were tied to a reward. 

This study demonstrates that both mindsets have unique advantages and thus, should be used at different times.

While you can't always shift your mindset in seconds, you can try to approach a situation from a different angle, depending on your outcome. 

For example, you may want to tap into a curious mindset when learning a process or task that you'll have to utilize in the future so that your long-term memory holds on to it. 

Alternatively, you may try to embrace the urgency mindset when you're completing a task with a time limit. 

Most of all, this study proves that an urgent, stressed-out mindset will not always bring the most reward, especially when it comes to learning and memory. 

This common thread could be utilized by schoolteachers and work environments alike to experiment with a more relaxed learning environment. 

A study finds that a curious mindset encourages better long-term memory, while an urgent mindset improves performance in the moment.