---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A popular myth is that learning is…"
description: "\"“A popular myth is that learning is largely a matter of motivation. Increasingly, the key to effective learning in the information era is how you think..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/kathryn-alesandrini-61602_cognition_a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-large_2428560.jpg"
---

#  A popular myth is that learning is largely a matter of…

![“A popular myth is that learning is largely a matter of motivation. Increasingly, the key to effective learning in the information era is how you think, not how you feel.” quote by Kathryn Alesandrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/kathryn-alesandrini-61602_cognition_a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-large_2428560.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/kathryn-alesandrini-61602_cognition_a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-large_2428560.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/kathryn-alesandrini-61602_cognition_a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-large_2428560.jpg)

> ““A popular myth is that learning is largely a matter of motivation. Increasingly, the key to effective learning in the information era is how you think, not how you feel.””

[Kathryn Alesandrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-alesandrini/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Effective learning today depends more on cognitive approaches than on sheer motivation.

**In simple terms:** Learning relies on thinking, not feeling.

Key Takeaway

Focus on mental strategies.

Themes

learning motivation cognition

Mood

analytical inspirational

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- studying
- online courses
- skill acquisition
- career development

Key Concepts

metacognition information overload self-regulation

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you shift from feeling to thinking?
- What mental habits improve retention?

A Different Perspective

Motivation still matters for initiating effort.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Cognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cognition/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Effective Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effective-learning-250712/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Learning Information](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning-information-250714/) [Learning Largely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning-largely-250713/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Motivation Increasingly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation-increasingly-250715/)

## Related quotes

> [Human experience throughout the ages has been enhanced through learning, information and communication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talal-abu-ghazaleh/human-experience-throughout-the-ages-has-been-enhanced-through/)

[Talal Abu-Ghazaleh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talal-abu-ghazaleh/)

> [Education is not the piling on of learning, information, data, facts, skills, or abilities-that's training or instruction-but is rather making visible what is hidden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/education-is-not-the-piling-on-of-learning-information-data-facts-2/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The gas-law of learning: . . . any amount of information no matter how small will fill any intellectual void no matter how large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-nibley/the-gas-law-of-learning-any-amount-of-information-no-matter-how-small/)

[Hugh Nibley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-nibley/)

> [“The most effective learning takes place in the classroom, where you can easily raise your hand, engage in spontaneous discussions with classmates and faculty,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-lamont/the-most-effective-learning-takes-place-in-the-classroom-where-you/)

[Ian Lamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-lamont/)

> [All stress inhibits true and effective learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-thomas/all-stress-inhibits-true-and-effective-learning/)

[Michel Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-thomas/)

> [All of our schools should be good enough to attract a healthy racial mix, which, I believe, leads to the most effective learning for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-bridges/all-of-our-schools-should-be-good-enough-to-attract-a-healthy-racial/)

[Ruby Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-bridges/)

> [Effective learning means arriving at new power, and the consciousness of new power is one of the most stimulating things in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-erskine-stuart/effective-learning-means-arriving-at-new-power-and-the-consciousness/)

[Janet Erskine Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-erskine-stuart/)

> [A free curiosity is more effective in learning than a rigid discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/a-free-curiosity-is-more-effective-in-learning-than-a-rigid-discipline/)

[Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/)

> [In the early days the Cubism' method of grasping an object was to go round and round it. The Futurists declared that one had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gino-severini/in-the-early-days-the-cubism-method-of-grasping-an-object-was-to-go/)

[Gino Severini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gino-severini/)

> [ “\[Mood allocates\] investments of time, effort, resources, and risk taking to maximize Darwinian fitness in situations of varying propitiousness. High and low moods adjust… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randolph-m-nesse/mood-allocates-investments-of-time-effort-resources-and-risk-taking/)

[Randolph M. Nesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randolph-m-nesse/)

> [“Reality is not a thought experiment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-amerland/reality-is-not-a-thought-experiment/)

[David Amerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-amerland/)

> [“The obvious cure for the tragic shortcomings of human intuition in a high-tech world is education. And this offers priorities for educational policy: to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/the-obvious-cure-for-the-tragic-shortcomings-of-human-intuition-in-a/)

[Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/)

> [“In order to decide, judge; in order to judge, reason; in order to reason, decide (what to reason about).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-johnson-laird/in-order-to-decide-judge-in-order-to-judge-reason-in-order-to-reason/)

[Philip Johnson-Laird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-johnson-laird/)

> [“The brain works in a holistic, cooperative way that makes our basest desire or most abject fear as expressive of who we are as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-amerland/the-brain-works-in-a-holistic-cooperative-way-that-makes-our-basest/)

[David Amerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-amerland/)

> [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/)

[Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/)

## More by Kathryn Alesandrini

> [“Traditional ways to deal with information--reading, listening, writing, talking--are painfully slow in comparison to "viewing the big picture." Those who survive information overload will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-alesandrini/traditional-ways-to-deal-with-information-reading-listening-writing/)

[Kathryn Alesandrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-alesandrini/)

> [“It's not a good idea to cut back indiscriminately on what you read. The reason is that reading can save you time, because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-alesandrini/it-s-not-a-good-idea-to-cut-back-indiscriminately-on-what-you-read/)

[Kathryn Alesandrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-alesandrini/)

> [ “Here are the top three warning signs \[you're at risk of foreclosure\]: \* You used to think nobody cared when your phone rarely rang.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-alesandrini/here-are-the-top-three-warning-signs-you-re-at-risk-of-foreclosure/)

[Kathryn Alesandrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-alesandrini/)

> [“Time is a most versatile resource. It flies, marches on, works wonders, and will tell. It also runs out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-alesandrini/time-is-a-most-versatile-resource-it-flies-marches-on-works-wonders/)

[Kathryn Alesandrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-alesandrini/)

[Explore all 5 Kathryn Alesandrini quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-alesandrini/)

## More Cognition quotes

> [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/)

[Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/)

> [“The brain works in a holistic, cooperative way that makes our basest desire or most abject fear as expressive of who we are as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-amerland/the-brain-works-in-a-holistic-cooperative-way-that-makes-our-basest/)

[David Amerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-amerland/)

> [“In order to decide, judge; in order to judge, reason; in order to reason, decide (what to reason about).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-johnson-laird/in-order-to-decide-judge-in-order-to-judge-reason-in-order-to-reason/)

[Philip Johnson-Laird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-johnson-laird/)

> [“The obvious cure for the tragic shortcomings of human intuition in a high-tech world is education. And this offers priorities for educational policy: to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/the-obvious-cure-for-the-tragic-shortcomings-of-human-intuition-in-a/)

[Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/)

> [“Reality is not a thought experiment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-amerland/reality-is-not-a-thought-experiment/)

[David Amerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-amerland/)

> [ “\[Mood allocates\] investments of time, effort, resources, and risk taking to maximize Darwinian fitness in situations of varying propitiousness. High and low moods adjust… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randolph-m-nesse/mood-allocates-investments-of-time-effort-resources-and-risk-taking/)

[Randolph M. Nesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randolph-m-nesse/)

> [In the early days the Cubism' method of grasping an object was to go round and round it. The Futurists declared that one had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gino-severini/in-the-early-days-the-cubism-method-of-grasping-an-object-was-to-go/)

[Gino Severini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gino-severini/)

> [Faith is the commitment of one's consciousness to beliefs for which one has no sensory evidence or rational proof. When man rejects reason as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/faith-is-the-commitment-of-one-s-consciousness-to-beliefs-for-which/)

[Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/)

> [The arts make vivid the fact that words do not, in their literal form or number, exhaust what we can know. The limits of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliot-w-eisner/the-arts-make-vivid-the-fact-that-words-do-not-in-their-literal-form/)

[Elliot W. Eisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliot-w-eisner/)

> [“In order to build a truly wise society devoid of any kind of existential crisis, it is imperative that the individuals foster a healthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/in-order-to-build-a-truly-wise-society-devoid-of-any-kind-of/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [I worry that the level of interrupt, the sort of overwhelming rapidity of information — and especially of stressful information — is in fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schmidt/i-worry-that-the-level-of-interrupt-the-sort-of-overwhelming-rapidity/)

[Eric Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schmidt/)

> [The emergence of a unified cognitive moment relies on the coordination of scattered mosaics of functionally specialized brain regions. Here we review the mechanisms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francisco-varela/the-emergence-of-a-unified-cognitive-moment-relies-on-the/)

[Francisco Varela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francisco-varela/)

> [“The moment you establish a line of communication between two points, you subtly change both. That is also true for the way the brain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-amerland/the-moment-you-establish-a-line-of-communication-between-two-points/)

[David Amerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-amerland/)

> [Faculty Psychology is getting to be respectable again after centuries of hanging around with phrenologists and other dubious types. By faculty psychology I mean,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-fodor/faculty-psychology-is-getting-to-be-respectable-again-after-centuries/)

[Jerry Fodor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-fodor/)

> [Relativism is neither a method of fighting, nor a method of creating, for both of these are uncompromising and at times even ruthless; rather,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karel-capek/relativism-is-neither-a-method-of-fighting-nor-a-method-of-creating/)

[Karel Capek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karel-capek/)

[Browse all 139 Cognition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cognition/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“A popular myth is that learning is largely a matter of motivation. Increasingly, the key to effective learning in the information era is how you think, not how you feel.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Kathryn Alesandrini"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-alesandrini/a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-largely-a-matter-of-motivation/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Cognition"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-alesandrini/a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-largely-a-matter-of-motivation/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/kathryn-alesandrini-61602_cognition_a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-large_2428560.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/kathryn-alesandrini-61602_cognition_a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-large_2428560.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/kathryn-alesandrini-61602_cognition_a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-large_2428560.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A popular myth is that learning is largely a matter of motivation. Increasingly, the key to effective…” — Kathryn Alesandrini",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Kathryn Alesandrini",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-alesandrini/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“A popular myth is that learning...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-alesandrini/a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-largely-a-matter-of-motivation/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-alesandrini/a-popular-myth-is-that-learning-is-largely-a-matter-of-motivation/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
