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Does testing increase spontaneous mediation in learning semantically related paired associates?
Kit W Cho1, James H Neely2, Michael K Brennan2
1Department of Social Sciences, University of Houston- Downtown.
Summary
Testing effects for semantically related pairs are not explained by spontaneous mediation. Review testing did not improve recall when participants actively recalled the mediator, challenging the mediator effectiveness hypothesis.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Memory Research
- Learning Sciences
Background:
- The testing effect suggests that retrieving information enhances memory more than restudying.
- The mediator effectiveness hypothesis proposes that testing strengthens an associative chain, including a mediator, for improved recall.
- Previous research indicated testing effects for semantically related but associatively unrelated paired associates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the testing effect for semantically related paired associates.
- To test the mediator effectiveness hypothesis against an alternative account involving cue-elicitation.
- To directly examine the role of spontaneous mediation in the testing effect.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1 tested an alternative account by examining the role of mediator-cue associative strength.
- Experiment 2 directly assessed the mediator effectiveness hypothesis by requiring mediator recall before target recall.
- Participants learned cue-target pairs and underwent either restudying or review testing conditions.
Main Results:
- The testing effect for mediator-to-target recall was independent of mediator-cue associative strength.
- The cue-to-target testing effect magnitude was similar whether the mediator was recalled or not.
- Overall target recall was reduced when participants were prompted to recall the mediator first.
Conclusions:
- Spontaneous mediation does not explain the testing effect for semantically related, associatively unrelated paired associates.
- The mediator effectiveness hypothesis's prediction of enhanced recall via spontaneous mediation was not supported.
- Alternative explanations for the testing effect in this context require further investigation.
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