The role of retrieval practice in memory and analogical problem-solving. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2019 Apr;72(4):858-871
Date
04/13/2018Pubmed ID
29642782DOI
10.1177/1747021818771928Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85053375541 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 13 CitationsAbstract
Retrieval practice (e.g., testing) has been shown to facilitate long-term retention of information. In two experiments, we examine whether retrieval practice also facilitates use of the practised information when it is needed to solve analogous problems. When retrieval practice was not limited to the information most relevant to the problems (Experiment 1), it improved memory for the information a week later compared with copying or rereading the information, although we found no evidence that it improved participants' ability to apply the information to the problems. In contrast, when retrieval practice was limited to only the information most relevant to the problems (Experiment 2), we found that retrieval practice enhanced memory for the critical information, the ability to identify the schematic similarities between the two sources of information, and the ability to apply that information to solve an analogous problem after a hint was given to do so. These results suggest that retrieval practice, through its effect on memory, can facilitate application of information to solve novel problems but has minimal effects on spontaneous realisation that the information is relevant.
Author List
Hostetter AB, Penix EA, Norman MZ, Batsell WR Jr, Carr THAuthor
Mackenzie Z. Norman PhD, MA Assistant Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAttention
Concept Formation
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Recall
Problem Solving
Young Adult
