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bstract vs. Concrete: Do you know why some concepts are easier to learn
As we learn, we often find that some concepts are easier to understand and grasp than others. This phenomenon is not only related to the learners' personal experience, but also to the nature of concepts being divided into abstract concepts and concrete concepts. According to psychological research, when learning in different contexts, one of the factors that has the greatest impact on comprehension and memory is the concreteness and abstractness of the concepts being learned.
Concrete concepts are those that can be directly perceived through the senses, such as objects such as chairs and dogs. These concepts are often closely tied to emotions and past real-life experiences, making them easier to remember.
The characteristics of concrete concepts make them more likely to attract learners' attention during learning. According to Paivio's dual coding theory, concrete concepts are usually better able to form visual images in the brain. For example, when we hear the word "dog", we not only think of the meaning of the word, but also the image of a dog. Therefore, the characteristics of concrete concepts make them easy to remember and recall.
Relatively speaking, abstract concepts, such as "freedom" and "love", are more elusive because their definitions vary from person to person and are usually not understandable through direct sensory experience.
Learning abstract concepts often requires higher-level thinking skills and cognitive abilities. Psychologists believe that the learning process of abstract concepts involves comparing and contrasting different examples, which means that learners need to engage in thoughtful analysis. Taking "freedom" as an example, different people may have different views on it, which makes it difficult to understand and makes the learning effect not as good as specific concepts.
Concrete and abstract concepts
During the teaching process, teachers usually use different strategies to help students learn concrete and abstract concepts. For specific concepts, visual teaching methods can be used, such as using images, models or real objects to demonstrate. This not only improves students’ concentration but also helps them develop a clearer conceptual understanding.
Learning abstract concepts requires in-depth understanding and critical thinking. Teachers can use discussions, case analysis and sharing of multiple perspectives to promote students' thinking.
Interrelationship of concepts
Another noteworthy aspect is the connection between concrete and abstract concepts. In the learning process, concrete experiences can become the basis for understanding abstract concepts. For example, when learning the abstract concept of "fairness", students can first understand the connotation of fairness through specific situations, and then sublimate these specific examples into an abstract understanding of fairness.
In addition, motivation and background knowledge also affect learning effectiveness. When it comes to learning specific concepts, it will be easier for learners to absorb new knowledge if they have some background knowledge. When learning abstract concepts, learners' emotional experiences and personal values also play an important role in understanding.
ConclusionIn summary, whether a concept can be learned effectively depends on the abstractness and concreteness of the concept. Concrete concepts are easier to remember through direct sensory experience, while abstract concepts require deeper thinking and discussion. In this process, appropriate learning strategies and methods are particularly important. Ultimately, how to effectively connect abstract concepts with concrete concepts is also a question that every learner needs to think about?
