Further Studies on Role of Repetition in Associative Learning

Abstract

Several studies were run utilizing a single test for recall after the presentation of paired-associates. Three exposures of the pairs, prior to rest, produced significantly better recall than one exposure, with total time held constant. The facilitating effect of frequency was enhanced when the list was repeated as a block, compared to exposing each of the pairs three times in succession. In addition, the superior recall produced by such block presentation was not altered by either fixing or varying the order of the pairs within the list. Finally, the additional rehearsal time afforded by repetition positively affected learning of items but had no influence upon the associative process.