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Can very small font size enhance memory?

Vered Halamish1

  • 1School of Education, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel. vered.halamish@biu.ac.il.

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|May 5, 2018
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Perceptual learning can be enhanced by presenting information in degraded formats, like small fonts. However, this memory benefit is eliminated when learners make judgments of learning (JOLs).

Keywords:
Desirable difficultiesFont sizeJudgments of learningMemoryPerceptually degradation

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Memory Research

Background:

  • Perceptual degradation, such as using smaller fonts, can sometimes improve learning and memory.
  • Previous studies found no mnemonic benefit for small fonts, especially when judgments of learning (JOLs) were involved.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically investigate the effect of font size on word memory.
  • To determine if font size effects on memory depend on JOLs, test format, or study time.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted 11 experiments examining font size effects on memory for words.
  • Meta-analyzed data to identify relationships and moderating factors.
  • Manipulated font size, solicited JOLs, varied test formats, and adjusted study time.

Main Results:

  • A U-shaped relationship was found between font size and memory, with advantages for both large and very small fonts compared to intermediate sizes.
  • The memory benefit of very small fonts was eliminated when JOLs were required.
  • JOLs increased with font size and were insensitive to the U-shaped memory effect.

Conclusions:

  • Perceptually degraded materials, like small fonts, can enhance memory, supporting the desirable difficulties hypothesis.
  • The requirement to make JOLs significantly moderates the memory benefits of perceptual degradation.
  • Findings highlight the importance of considering task demands, like JOLs, when investigating perceptual learning effects.