What is the ‘Feynman technique’? How does it work?
The “Feynman technique” is a psychological technique through which any difficult subject can be mastered very easily. Richard Feynman, one of the most famous American physicists, invented this technique. He divided the knowledge into two parts-1. To know the name of something and 2. To know something. The second part is also called Deep Knowledge. Feynman always valued this second part.
There are only 4 simple steps in the Feynman technique. The steps are:
- Write down the name of the subject you want to master on a piece of paper. Then start studying that subject and write down everything you know. If you know something new, include it there.
2. Then imagine a children’s classroom and mentally explain the concept of those children. Will try to explain them as easily as possible.
3. Identify the shortcomings of your own knowledge and understanding and re-study so that these shortcomings no longer exist.
4. Repeat the whole process to make the explanations easier. One way to make this explanation easier is to use metaphors.
The key to the Feynman technique is simplicity and brevity. This technique is very useful for learning something new, understanding things better, remembering or preparing for exams. Not only this, with the help of this you can get some more results. Such as –
1) Increase teaching ability
2) Intelligent and information-based decision making
3) Increase the skills of critical thinking
4) To be able to use knowledge in real life
5) The development of real understanding, etc.
The “Feynman technique” emphasizes simplicity. Richard Feynman had a worldwide reputation, he could easily explain even difficult things like quantum mechanics to the common man. For which he is also called the “Great Explainer”. James Gleick, Feynman’s biographer, identified Feynman’s quality as one of the reasons for his successful research career.