Baddeley: Human memory

Practice improves performance 1) total time hypothesis: improvement is a function of the total time invested – the more you invest, the better you’ll perform 2) distribution of practice: you’ll learn better if the practice sessions are gapped Distributed practice: various points 1. amount of time for practice sessions? 2. amount of rest between practice sessions? 3. Intervals between specific items during practice sessions?

Over days, rather than gaps within a day postmen experiment: one group – an hour a day second group – two one-hour sessions (gapped) third group – one two-hour session fourth – two two-hour sessions (gapped) Result: the first group learned more in 60 hours than the others

(But note that the overall time will be more, the last group will reach 60 hours in 15 days, the first group will reach 60 hours in 60 days)

inter-trial rest periods – not conclusive inter-item interval also important

Importance of successful retrieval: Learners remember better if they have to retrieve, than if they are tested, fail, and have to be reminded. The optimum is to test an item at the longest gap possible compatible with successful retrieval. hence: expanding rehearsal. 

You can get a great deal from rehearsal If it just has the proper dispersal You would just be an ass To do it en mass Your remembering would come out much worsal. Neisser

When does practice not help? BBC frequencies: housewives tested, mostly didn’t remember. Frequent repetition does not ensure learning, if it is meaningless and/or not accompanied by attention