Try your hand at learning some new tricks and test your own
readness for change. This brief colour chart demonstration is used in all
our courses and workshops. It is a good conversation piece as well as
offering an opportunity for self reflection.
This simple but intriguing activity is a demonstration of the powerful
interference effect caused by prior learning.
Exactly what it means for you personally will become clearer after you have
done the two short tasks and you interpret your scores.
Now, please read and follow these instructions carefully.
INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE NOTE: You need a colour monitor and a tables capable browser to
do this demonstration.
TASK 1
1. You will need a watch to record how long it takes you to finish this
task. Record the time to the nearest second.
2. Just read each word aloud as you normally would when reading.
Start at the top, go left to right, line by line, as quickly as you can and
correct any mistakes. For example, the first word is "green", the second is
"brown" and so on. Remember to record how many seconds you take to finish.
TASK 2
Again, use your watch to record how long you take to finish this task.
This time, instead of reading the word, you have to name the colour of
the ink in which each word is written, going left to right, line by
line, as quickly as you can and correct any mistakes. Speak up and say it
aloud for greater effect. For example, the colour of the first word is
"pink" so you have to say "pink" instead of "green". The second is "red",
not "brown" and so on. Do the whole list from top to bottom. Don't forget to
record how many seconds it takes you to finish.
green |
brown |
black |
blue |
green |
pink |
blue |
pink |
brown |
green |
black |
red |
blue |
red |
black |
brown |
black |
pink |
green |
red |
brown |
green |
pink |
blue |
red |
blue |
black |
pink |
green |
brown |
red |
green |
green |
black |
brown |
blue |
pink |
red |
blue |
brown |
green |
black |
pink |
black |
blue |
brown |
red |
red |
pink |
red |
pink |
black |
brown |
brown |
green |
green |
red |
pink |
brown |
blue |
black |
pink |
blue |
red |
pink |
black |
black |
brown |
green |
blue |
red |
blue |
A new theory and explanation of why old habits die hard; and how to use it
in sports coaching, education, workplace safety training, driving
instruction, music performance improvement and flight training.


