Learning How To Learn Makes You Less Forgetful: Study Finds

Written By:

Written By:

Psychology News

Researchers at Iowa State University revealed how learning how to learn can slow down forgetfulness. The study is published in the journal Nature Reviews Psychology.

The Study

The research team conducted a series of studies to determine whether the spacing and retrieval method of learning can benefit students in retaining information.

For instance, in one of the studies, the performance of two groups of medical students was surveyed—the first received repeated surgery training over three weeks and the second had the same training all in one day.

In another study, students were asked to share and discuss whatever they could remember about certain class lessons in a type of open-ended, communal activity.

The Findings

The results revealed that the spacing and retrieval method of learning can help students when they sit for tests or when they pick up a new hobby. Forgetting is natural and revisiting the information after forgetting some of it (and not all) can help people retain information while learning a new hobby or an academic lesson.

One of the lead researchers, Shana Carpenter, elaborated: “Forgetting is a very natural thing; you can’t stop forgetting even if you try, but you can slow down forgetting by using retrieval practice and spacing.

To Know More You May Refer To

Carpenter, S.K., Pan, S.C. & Butler, A.C. The science of effective learning with spacing and retrieval practice. Nat Rev Psychol 1, 496–511 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-022-00089-1

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

— About the Author —

  • The Psychological Toll Of Birth Control Side Effects: What You Need To Know

    The Psychological Toll Of Birth Control Side Effects: What You Need To Know

  • How Medical Alert Systems Support Mental Well-Being For Seniors

    How Medical Alert Systems Support Mental Well-Being For Seniors

  • Mindfulness and Sobriety: How Daily Reflections Foster Mental Clarity

    Mindfulness and Sobriety: How Daily Reflections Foster Mental Clarity

  • How Can You Streamline Your Insurance Check Before Seeing a Psychiatrist in California: A Practical Guide

    How Can You Streamline Your Insurance Check Before Seeing a Psychiatrist in California: A Practical Guide

  • A Mindful Approach to Managing Stress and Emotional Well-Being

    A Mindful Approach to Managing Stress and Emotional Well-Being

  • How Semaglutide Compares to Other Weight Loss Medications

    How Semaglutide Compares to Other Weight Loss Medications

  • Healing Beyond the Battlefield: How Financial Stability and Housing Support Improve Mental Health for Veterans with Disabilities

    Healing Beyond the Battlefield: How Financial Stability and Housing Support Improve Mental Health for Veterans with Disabilities

  • The Role of Early Intervention in Preventing Long-Term Mental Health Struggles

    The Role of Early Intervention in Preventing Long-Term Mental Health Struggles

  • Navigating Mental Health Education: Your Path to a Fulfilling Healthcare Career

    Navigating Mental Health Education: Your Path to a Fulfilling Healthcare Career

  • Botox vs. Fillers: Which is Right for You?

    Botox vs. Fillers: Which is Right for You?