Spacing by retention interval interactions in retroactive effects of memory: the role of detecting and remembering change
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Sydney T. Smith (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Christopher Wahlheim
Abstract: We have long known that increasing the distance between repeated study opportunities can enhance learning. The magnitude of this spaced repetition effect depends on the retention interval between study and test. The interaction of spacing and retention interval in repetition benefits has been observed in many situations. However, everyday events never repeat exactly, and new events often include repeated and changed features that interfere with memory for earlier events (e.g., when one’s memory for their friend’s maiden name is impaired by the new married name). Although this occurs regularly in daily life, we know little about the role of spacing in such retroactive effects of memory. I address this by examining spacing and retention interval effects in a paired associate learning task including word pairs with repeated cues and changed responses (A-B, A-C). Interference can be reduced in such paradigms when changes are detected and later remembered, so I also examined the role of change processing. Sixty participants completed a continuous paired-associate learning task that varied the spacing between A-B and A-C pairs (lag) and between A-C pairs and test trials (retention interval). On study trials, participants indicated when they detected changed (A-C) pairs. On test trials, participants attempted to recall original responses (B) and indicated which had earlier changed. The results suggest that that the optimal lag for recall of original responses increased as retention interval increased, and such recall depended on how often changes were detected and recollected. These findings add to the growing theoretical framework surrounding the spacing effect and have clear implications for educational practice.
Spacing by retention interval interactions in retroactive effects of memory: the role of detecting and remembering change
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Created on 5/1/2021
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2021
- Keywords
- Change detection, Change recollection, Distributed learning, Memory for change, Retroactive interference, Spacing effect
- Subjects
- Change (Psychology)
- Recollection (Psychology)
- Retroactive interference (Psychology)
- Learning, Psychology of