Recovery from Abusive Groups Page 48
different people have different styles or orientations toward learning. Some
people are more abstract and conceptual as learners. Others are more concrete
and analytical. Some ask "why?" while others more often approach with "how?"
Still others ask "if, then?" and some ask "what?".
Not everyone learns in the same way. Unfortunately, our school systems and
textbooks are designed to accommodate only a couple of the many learning
styles. That's why some people had such a hard time in school despite being
smart. If you were one of those people, check out the library or a legitimate
evaluation program to learn how to structure the learning process to better fit
with your style.
If you suspect you might have a learning disability, such as dyslexia, remedial
help is available. Check with your health care provider or state agency for more
information on where to get testing and help. If testing is a loaded issue for
you, use the buddy system (see The Buddy System).
Exercise- Learning Styles
If you are learning in a group situation, how does your learning style add to the
group learning experience? How does it complement other learning styles? How
might it clash with other learning styles? (Example: in learning a new cam
game, some people do well to sit quietly and read about the game thoroughly
before playing. Others prefer to watch someone else play first. Others prefer to
start playing and learn as they go.)
Decision-Making
A key skill to learn for life is how to make a good decision. How do you figure
out what action to take or not to take in any given situation? If God or whoever
is not providing you with the answer and if the cult leader(s) is not telling you
what to do, how do you figure out what's the best thing to do?
Resources
You make decisions based on information from resources. Those resources
should include your own knowledge and reasoning as well as other sources. To
make a sound decision you need to determine if you have enough information
and if that information comes from valid sources. Sometimes checking resources
involves a lot of work.
Had I checked out the cult more thoroughly, I would have turned and walked
away at the first encounter. I wouldn't have listened. I suspect if someone had
told you the cult used sophisticated psychological controls you would not have
listened further either. But digging out information and thinking it through takes
time and effort and most people do not do it very well.
Impulsive Decisions
Most people are impulsive decision makers not well-reasoned or well-thought-
out decision makers. Impulsive decision-making is encouraged by the media,
different people have different styles or orientations toward learning. Some
people are more abstract and conceptual as learners. Others are more concrete
and analytical. Some ask "why?" while others more often approach with "how?"
Still others ask "if, then?" and some ask "what?".
Not everyone learns in the same way. Unfortunately, our school systems and
textbooks are designed to accommodate only a couple of the many learning
styles. That's why some people had such a hard time in school despite being
smart. If you were one of those people, check out the library or a legitimate
evaluation program to learn how to structure the learning process to better fit
with your style.
If you suspect you might have a learning disability, such as dyslexia, remedial
help is available. Check with your health care provider or state agency for more
information on where to get testing and help. If testing is a loaded issue for
you, use the buddy system (see The Buddy System).
Exercise- Learning Styles
If you are learning in a group situation, how does your learning style add to the
group learning experience? How does it complement other learning styles? How
might it clash with other learning styles? (Example: in learning a new cam
game, some people do well to sit quietly and read about the game thoroughly
before playing. Others prefer to watch someone else play first. Others prefer to
start playing and learn as they go.)
Decision-Making
A key skill to learn for life is how to make a good decision. How do you figure
out what action to take or not to take in any given situation? If God or whoever
is not providing you with the answer and if the cult leader(s) is not telling you
what to do, how do you figure out what's the best thing to do?
Resources
You make decisions based on information from resources. Those resources
should include your own knowledge and reasoning as well as other sources. To
make a sound decision you need to determine if you have enough information
and if that information comes from valid sources. Sometimes checking resources
involves a lot of work.
Had I checked out the cult more thoroughly, I would have turned and walked
away at the first encounter. I wouldn't have listened. I suspect if someone had
told you the cult used sophisticated psychological controls you would not have
listened further either. But digging out information and thinking it through takes
time and effort and most people do not do it very well.
Impulsive Decisions
Most people are impulsive decision makers not well-reasoned or well-thought-
out decision makers. Impulsive decision-making is encouraged by the media,
