But being busy isn't an excuse for not staying on top of the new research that's being published. Reading group gives you a sense of discipline. A sense that keeping up on the latest research is a priority that you will keep. That sense of discipline is something I want you to get out of reading group and it requires not just reading the articles but having something intelligent to say about them. Reading group is a mechanism to keep the lab as a whole up to date on all the latest research in our area.
Experts know everything that's being done in their area.
For our lab, that area is false memories and eyewitness testimony. Leaders in our lab should know everything that's coming out right now on false memories and eyewitness testimony so that you look sharp when you present your research at conferences, in journal articles and at thesis defenses. When you apply to graduate school, or for a job, people will be extremely impressed with how up to date your knowledge is on this topic, even if you end up pursuing a different topic in graduate school. They will realize you have what it takes to succeed at whatever you end up doing. Again, reading group gives you the discipline needed to become an expert in this area of study and a model for how to become an expert in any area of study.