Psychology Chapter on Spaced Learning

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary finding of Melton's experiment regarding spaced learning?

Repeating words multiple times without a lag improves recall.

Total study time affects recall more than spacing.

Presentation duration is the main factor influencing recall.

Increased lag between study sessions enhances recall. (correct)

Which variable was NOT altered in Melton's experiment?

The order of word presentations. (correct)

The duration of word presentation.

The number of unique words presented.

The spacing between repeated word presentations.

What does the lag effect demonstrate in terms of memory recall?

Larger spacing often results in diminished recall.

Increased spacing maximizes memory retention over time. (correct)

Recall rates are unaffected by the duration of word presentation.

More frequent presentations always lead to better recall.

In Melton's experiment, what was consistent between the two word presentation conditions?

The total number of words presented. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'distributed practice' refer to in the context of memory?

Spacing different study sessions to enhance recall. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'perpetual' refer to in the context of structural changes in the brain?

Changes that are temporary and fleeting Signup and view all the answers

What is the main effect of practice on the brain's structure?

It enhances specific regions while normalizing others Signup and view all the answers

What might be a consequence of simple repetition without organization in learning?

It may not lead to learning, especially with complex information Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential advantage of distributed practice over massed practice?

It allows for improved retention and less forgetting Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of distributed practice?

It can be inconvenient as it requires more days for the same amount of material Signup and view all the answers

What does the Total Time Hypothesis suggest about learning?

The amount learned depends on the time spent learning. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT emphasized as a factor that facilitates learning?

Natural Aptitude Signup and view all the answers

What unique approach did Ebbinghaus take in his learning experiments?

He only studied his own performance using nonsense syllables. Signup and view all the answers

How does repeated practice contribute to brain function, according to the content?

It enhances brain plasticity and adaptation. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the phrase 'Practice makes perfect' as noted in the content?

Extensive practice has limits and levels out. Signup and view all the answers

What type of items did Ebbinghaus use to test his hypothesis?

Consonant-vowel-consonant syllables. Signup and view all the answers

Which method aims to enhance retention by varying the study schedule?

Distributed practice Signup and view all the answers

The testing effect refers to which of the following?

Improved retention through retrieval practice. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does practice have on brain structure according to studies on structural plasticity?

It causes structural changes in response to learning. Signup and view all the answers

In the London Taxi Drivers study by Maguire et al., what brain structure was found to be larger in the taxi drivers compared to the controls?

Posterior hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

What did Draganski et al. discover about the medical students' brains during their exam preparation?

Gray matter volume increased in the parietal cortex and posterior hippocampus. Signup and view all the answers

The hippocampus plays a key role in which of the following functions?

Memory and spatial navigation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the time spent as taxi drivers and brain structure, based on the findings from Maguire et al.?

Longer experience correlated with a larger posterior hippocampus. Signup and view all the answers

What part of the brain is involved in spatial processing, movement, attention, and language?

Parietal cortex Signup and view all the answers

What is a key finding regarding brain plasticity in the context of expertise or long-term practice?

Experience can lead to significant structural brain changes. Signup and view all the answers

What were the intervals at which Draganski et al. scanned the medical students?

Before, during, and after intensive exams Signup and view all the answers

What effect does retrieval practice have on memory retention?

It leads to greater retention compared to passive learning. Signup and view all the answers

Which group in the study by Karpicke & Blunt (2011) demonstrated superior memory for both facts and inferential questions?

Group 4: Studied text + test (recall) immediately Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of corrective feedback in the context of recall training?

To correct errors and enhance later recall. Signup and view all the answers

What do spaced presentations enhance according to the Spacing Effect?

Overall memory retention when spaced appropriately. Signup and view all the answers

How does motivation to learn affect memory retention?

It can enhance learning efficiency in both automatic and strategic ways. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding the Testing Effect?

Testing immediately after learning strengthens memory. Signup and view all the answers

What was a misconception students had regarding retrieval practice?

It is perceived as the least effective method of study. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the relationship between curiosity and motivation to learn?

Higher curiosity can improve internal motivation to learn. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Testing Effect indicate regarding memory retention?

Retrieving the answer leads to better retention than passive study. Signup and view all the answers

Which group in the Karpicke and Roediger (2008) study had the best outcomes in memory retention?

Group 1 (ST) with repeated study and testing. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major finding from the research conducted by Karpicke and Roediger?

Memory retention is positively impacted by retrieval practices. Signup and view all the answers

How did Group 4 (SNT) perform in the Karpicke and Roediger study?

Their retention was less compared to groups that studied. Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about Group 2 (SNTN) in terms of study methodology?

Successful recall resulted in no further study or testing. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the Testing Effect is highlighted by the results of this study?

The act of retrieval can aid in long-term memory retention. Signup and view all the answers

Which groups were assigned to learn the Swahili-English word pairs?

Four distinct groups with varied study and testing methods. Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be drawn about studying without testing from Karpicke and Roediger's findings?

Retention rates significantly drop when study isn't paired with testing. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cognition: Week 1

This week's topic focuses on factors that facilitate learning.
Key factors include the Total Time Hypothesis, Practice & Repetition, Spacing Effect, Testing Effect, and Motivation.

Learning Factors

Total Time Hypothesis: The amount learned is directly proportional to the time spent learning. This was demonstrated by Hermann Ebbinghaus, who studied the rate of learning and forgetting using nonsense syllables.
Practice & Repetition: Building skills and memorisation through repeated practice is a fundamental principle. Repetition leads to improvement, embodying the adage: "Practice makes perfect."
Spacing Effect: Distributing learning over multiple sessions, rather than cramming, leads to better learning outcomes and reduced forgetting.

Distributed Practice/Spacing Effect

Experimental Evidence: Studies like those of Melton (1970) demonstrate the benefits of spacing; the bigger the space between study sessions, the more effective the learning.
Baddeley & Longman (1978): Research on learning typing skills showed superior results for distributed practice compared to mass learning, even if the total study time was equal.
Kornell & Bjork (2008): Studies using identification of paintings revealed better performance for spaced learning, suggesting that spaced learning is better for remembering new information quickly.

The Testing Effect/Generation Effect

Karpicke & Roediger (2008): Experiment involving Swahili-English word pairs supported the idea that retrieval practice (testing) enhances learning. Different testing conditions (including not studying or testing again after successful recall) showed the crucial role of retrieval in long-term retention.
Karpicke & Blunt (2011): Further studies reinforced the superiority of testing in improving memory for facts and inference questions from text compared to alternative methods.
Expanding Retrieval Method (Landauer & Bjork 1978): Combining spaced presentation and testing is a powerful method that improves learning and retention.

Motivation & Learning

Motivation: Internal (e.g., curiosity) and external (e.g., reward) motivation can significantly influence learning efficiency.
Strategic Learning: People use deeper strategies for memorization when the material is deemed important
Curiosity: Studies by Gruber et al. (2014) highlight the link between curiosity and improved memory for incidental information even when external incentives are controlled.
Motivational Conclusion: Strong internal motivation greatly improves encoding processes making them more efficient, even with incidental content, as was demonstrated by several researchers.

Additional Notes

The study of how people learn and remember is ongoing.
Different techniques for facilitating learning may be more or less efficient for individual learners depending on the subject matter.
Effective study strategies often combine many of these techniques.
The reading from Baddeley, Eysenck, and Anderson (2020) is recommended as it offers an overview of this field.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the findings from Melton's experiment regarding spaced learning and its impact on memory recall. Explore key terms such as distributed practice and the lag effect while understanding their significance in cognitive psychology.