Excelling Psychology

I, Jyotika Varmani, tutor students of Psychology at all levels. I reside in Mumbai and tutor students online. You can contact me personally on my e-mail id jyotikapsychology@gmail.com or call/message me on 9892507784 for enquiries. --- Writing tiny-looking short notes appears to be an easy task. But in reality, when it comes  to a subject like psychology in which abundant information is available, condensing that information into a precise and relevant answer is a confusing task. Let's take a look at how an answer can be made as informative as possible in a mere 100 words: Q. Describe the role of the hippocampus in memory. Ans. The hippocampus, located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain plays a key role in the consolidation of memory . The case study of H.M. by Dr. Milner showed that only bilateral damage to the hippocampus results in a severe loss of memory suggesting that hippocampi in both hemispheres co-ordinate for keeping long-term memories intact. The later case st...

I have often heard discussions in the staff room about how some students seem to be so bright about topics, but fail to answer the paper well. I have experienced this with my students as well, and have come to understand that though some of them understand the matter of the subject very well, they fail to acquire the skills required to answer in an examination. Why is good understanding not enough to answer the paper well? Though students and even teachers often believe that good understanding automatically translates into good answer writing, this is seldom the case. This is because good understanding implies that the student has grasped well whatever has been put across in the text, and this understanding can go above and beyond what has been presented. The student understands text through the filters of his own previous knowledge, learning style and language. However, while answering a paper, the student must keep many external constraints in mind. The question paper di...

(I am discussing this topic from IGNOU MPC-001-02-01 , the official notes for which are easily available, both online and offline) Students are often seen to have a strange mindset. They postpone studying theory till the very end, thinking its no big deal. They begin with practical, find it too difficult and throw it aside as well. Then, before the exam, they look at theory, and come across something like this: which throws them aback. Though I've begun on a note of poor study habits, I intend to continue this post with a discussion of a topic that is seemingly difficult - 'Theories of Intelligence'; and is a part of a seemingly difficult subject - ' Cognitive Psychology .' I bring forward the ease in the topic, and simultaneously discuss why it seems to be such a challenge in learning. I am discussing from an understanding point-of-view in this part, and not an answer-writing one, for learning is not all about...