Retrieval practice enhances near but not far transfer of spatial memory

Students learn more effectively through repeated retrieval of study materials relative to repeated exposure to the materials, a phenomenon known as the testing effect or retrieval practice. This pattern has been demonstrated repeatedly with verbal materials, and more recently with visuospatial materials. The extent to which retrieval practice produces spatial memories that successfully transfer to more diverse task demands remains unknown. Transferring spatial memory to novel task demands can involve challenging orientation and perspective transformations, possibly limiting the benefits of retrieval practice for application to realistic spatial tasks. In 4 experiments, participants learned a map of a large-scale urban environment, engaging in either study practice (repeated exposure) or retrieval practice (exposure and testing). Across experiments we varied the retrieval demands of the final memory test, increasing the breadth of transfer from study to test (from near to far transfer). Final memory tests included reconstructing a map from memory (Experiment 1), judgments of relative direction from an allocentric perspective (Experiment 2), judgments of relative direction from an egocentric perspective (Experiment 3), and navigating between target landmarks within the learned environment (Experiment 4). Results demonstrated that retrieval practice enhances near to medium transfer of memory for the map itself, including accessing spatial memory from varied orientations. However, it does not assist in medium to far transfer of spatial knowledge to pointing or navigation tasks performed from an alternate perspective. Results are considered in the context of domain-specific theories of spatial memory and navigation, and domain-general theories of learning strategies and transfer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).