The spacing effect, free recall, and two-process theory: a closer look
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Using Practice Testing, Public Speaking, and Source Monitoring to Examine the Influences of Learning Strategies and Stress on Episodic Memory
Published on: June 14, 2019
Thomas C Toppino1, Lance C Bloom
1Department of Psychology, Villanova University, Pennsylvania 19085, USA. thomas.toppino@villanova.edu
Abstract:
Two experiments used procedures similar to those used by R. L. Greene (1989) to test the 2-process theory of the spacing effect and, in particular, the contextual-variability subtheory that applies to free-recall performance. Experiment 1 obtained a spacing effect in free recall following intentional learning but not following incidental learning, contrary to a previous result supporting the 2-process theory. Experiment 2 replicated the incidental-learning results when a slow presentation rate was used. However, with a faster presentation rate, a spacing effect was obtained, and performance exceeded that of the slow-presentation-rate condition at the longest lag. Neither the contextual-variability subtheory of 2-process theory nor an alternative deficient-processing hypothesis was able to account for all of the data.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Serial Position Effect
Interference and Decay
Interference occurs when competing memories hinder the retrieval of particular information. It can be classified into two types: proactive and retroactive interference. Proactive...
Impact of Schemas
Storage
First Impression
Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory

