Social style exploration#

Social style exploration techniques involve learning with other people. The discussion, debate and agreement helps you better understand a particular topic. Here are some ideas:

• Learn with a group. This is the basic technique of learning socially. Join a class or study group for your topic of study. If none exists, consider creating one. Suggest class discussions or debates on particular topics of interest.

• Work with a study buddy. If you can’t find or create a group, try to find someone at a similar point in their training. Work together through material and exercises, comparing and contrasting answers and viewpoints.

• Play the opposite view. In a group or “study buddy” setting, try taking the opposite viewpoint or opinion on various topics. Play the “devils advocate.” Let the others know you are going to challenge them with an opposing view, and ask them to do the same at other times. This challenges yourself and others to defend the topic of focus, leading to better understanding.

• Role-play. I’ve already discussed role-playing with a physical activity focus, however you can also use role-playing as a social learning technique. Role-playing in this way works well for activities that involve communication between two or more people.

• Involve others. Find ways to involve those around you in your learning. If you live at home with your parents, involve them by asking them their opinions on various topics. Try explaining to them some of the ideas you’ve learned. If you have children, how can you involve them in your training and learning? Sometimes children have a way of revealing your lack of understanding in a particular area by their own technique—the barrage of “why” questions.