Book Details & Major Themes

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning is a collaboration between cognitive psychologists, Henry L. Roediger III and Mark A. McDaniel, and writer, Peter C. Brown. Published in 2014 by a division of Harvard University Press, the book presents crucial findings in the field of learning science using relatable examples and engaging stories. The book’s central argument is that humans have an incredible, perhaps limitless, capacity for learning, but there are effective and ineffective approaches to it. Unfortunately, the authors explain, some of the best learning strategies are counterintuitive and unpopular, while some of the most common ones are ineffective but persist nonetheless. To address this, the book exposes myths about memory and proposes empirically proven strategies to improve long-term learning. These strategies emphasize several notable things: that learning requires effort, that the learning process is cumulative, and that metacognition (thinking about thinking) aids cognition.

Summary

Each of the book's chapters is divided into sub-sections and ends with a “takeaway” that recaps the chapter's main ideas. Chapter 1 discusses common misconceptions about learning. It identifies ways in which people routinely inhibit their own learning or fail to recognize effective learning while it is happening.

Chapter 2 examines the learning process and emphasizes the importance of retrieval—calling up stored information from memory to further learn, process, revise, and store more information for future use.

Chapter 3 focuses on the best modes of practice for learning new information and keeping it accessible in the brain.

The fourth chapter emphasizes that learning should be effortful, even difficult. The authors distinguish between challenges that aid learning and challenges that hinder it.

Chapter 5 considers the potential mental hurdles people face when learning. While the brain is exceptionally capable of learning, it also distorts information, making memory highly subjective and often inaccurate. The authors advise readers to “avoid illusions of knowing” and stick to validated strategies for achieving mastery.

In Chapter 6, the authors critique the concept of learning styles and how educators cater to them (with visual and auditory modes being among the most well-known). While it’s commonly understood that people learn best when instruction matches personal preferences, the authors reject this notion, as scientific evidence fails to support it.

The final chapters teach readers how to amplify their cognitive and learning abilities, offering practical advice for students, teachers, and trainers in particular. They outline specific strategies for successful learning in various contexts and stress the power of mindset in shaping a person’s capacity to learn.

Throughout the book, Make It Stick challenges readers to take charge of their own learning, fostering a proactive and scientifically grounded approach to mastering new skills and knowledge.