CHRISTIAN PSYCHOLOGY DR. E. C. BRAGG - Trinity College

VII. The Psychology of Learning and Retention
I have in view the prospectus we gave in our introduction to the course. The first part was to
be theoretical psychology; the second part was to be applied psychology. In this second division
we said we wished to consider applied psychology in study or learning that is our mental life,
and applied psychology in Christian experience, or in our spiritual life.
We hope as we traverse this planned course that many extracurricular elements of
psychology shall have room for development. What we could not do systematically, maybe we
can do by way of illustration as we proceed. Where a subject of real interest entices us from the
subject in hand we shall consider it also, also feel perfectly free to question our findings or seek
further knowledge on the subject.
By way of introduction to this section we wish to warn you at the outset that we have never
found any "easy" method of learning, any complete psychology of memorizing or reasoning,
pro-digested, fool-proof, and acquired overnight by putting it under your pillow, like a love
letter. Everything we shall consider in this shall only help you as you put them into practice by
ardent work. This leads us to our first division in generalization:
A. The Formation of Habits and Study
First a word about habits in general - Psychology has worked out certain principles to
determine the why of habits. They are based upon two qualities in the nervous system:
1. Modifiability - subject to change.
2. Retentivity - character of holding that change.
A coiled spring is capable of changes every second for years, but doesn't retain it -
retention without modifiability. The bent wire has modifiability with retention. Clay has
modifiability without retention. Illustration: The bent, creased paper will bend every time
after in the same place. It is known that the impulse traversing the nerve leaves its
impression, and afterward has a tendency to follow the precious impression. When we take
up the study of memory and learning, we shall see certain laws to make the impression
indelible. We all know in our own experience how easy it is to form adverse habits and
how hard they are to break.
William James, the great psychologist, enumerated four laws of habit formation still
copied today by every psychologist.
1. Begin a new habit with as strong and decided a start as possible. Use a firm
resolution of will. This is particularly necessary in studying. One man's proscription
was, to the young preacher, "Glue the seat of your trousers to the seat of the chair."
2. Never allow an exception to occur until the habit is well-formed, like fixed
periods of study. After graduation this will be imperative. You'll have no other boss
than your will. Paul said, "Redeeming the time." What you do with time will
determine what time will do with you."
3. Seize the first possible chance to put the now resolution into action. To this many
add frequency or repetition of the act.