I am always amazed when science finally discovers what so many of us already perceive as COMMON SENSE.
Researchers in the United Kingdom found that test subjects who doodled while listening to a recorded message had a 29 percent better recall of the message's details than those who didn't doodle. The findings were published in Applied Cognitive Psychology."If someone is doing a boring task, like listening to a dull telephone conversation, they may start to daydream," study researcher Professor Jackie Andrade, of the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth, said in a news release issued by the journal's publisher. "Daydreaming distracts them from the task, resulting in poorer performance. A simple task, like doodling, may be sufficient to stop daydreaming without affecting performance on the main task."
During grade school, Junior High and High School I would always doodle to pay attention. If I did not have a busy pen or pencil I would daydream or fall asleep. I remember the day my third grade teacher, Mrs Needham asked me if her class was that boring and I answered, "Yes". She did not send me to the principals office because she WAS the principal. Instead she made me write something even more boring than what she was teaching on the blackboard umpteen million times.
In 4th grade I faced my toughest challenge with math. To say our teacher was "voluptuous" would be like comparing the "Titanic" to a rowboat. I could always tell if she came walking up behind me by the shadow that fell across my desk while she was still a few paces behind me. This distraction caused by presumed NFL footballs barely concealed by tight fitting mohair sweaters was undaunting to a 4th grade boy; enought so that I learned to look away during lectures., only occasionally taking a peek at the blackboard. Doodling became, in that class, a necessity rather than a pastime. So once again I was faced with the question, "Steven, do you find my class that boring?" To which all of you already know my answer. My desk was moved into the hallway as a consequence where there were no distracting shadows moving about.
In Jr High I was caught doodling by my History teacher, Mr King. He made me take the picture home to be signed by my parents. The next day I took it back and said I showed it to them (which I had not) but they refused to sign someone elses artwork. Instead they sent their commendations of his teaching methods if HISTORY inspired such good art.
In High School I faced a real BULLY of a history teacher who when I argued a point asked me if I felt I could teach the class better than he could. I answered "YES". Nobody in the class seemed to like the man and the answer brought a very big round of applause and laughter so I was sent to the Principal's office. When I faced the Principal I had only to confess answering a question honestly for which, fortunately I was not severely punished.
In my adult life I have faced the same kind of animosity from public speakers, namely Baptist preachers for doodling during their sermons. I have challenged them to ask me anything they wish regarding the sermon and I would answer, not only with what they said, but why they might be wrong, but so far none has accepted my challenge
disclaimer: Most, if not all of the above is true (or almost true) with only a little stretch here or there to make the stories enjoyable enough you had no need to doodle while reading them.
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