Novel word learning over different time scales: A comparison of paired-associate and cross-situational paradigms

Word learning can take place through non-ambiguous word-referent pairings, as in paired-associate word learning (PAL), or in ambiguous contexts, as in cross-situational word learning (CSWL). Little is known about long-term retention of novel words in PAL, and even less so in CSWL. We assigned 378 participants to PAL or CSWL and tested retention either immediately, after a 6-min delay or a 24-h delay. We examined the role of learning condition, delay, and phonological working memory on learning performance. Results indicate better performance at immediate than at long delayed testing, and a sharper drop in performance with delay for PAL than for CSWL. Learning performance was higher in PAL than CSWL, and phonological working memory tended to be positively associated with learning. Results indicate that retention patterns differ across word learning paradigms, with higher retention overall in PAL but less memory decay over time in CSWL.