Effect of spacing presentations on retention of a paired associate over short intervals.

Abstract

3 experiments varying the interval between 2 presentations of paired associates were reported. Other pairs filled the spacing and retention intervals. Pairs consisting of a word and a number as well as pairs consisting of 2 words showed a superiority at 8 sec. and longer retention intervals when presentations were spaced. Increasing the spacing interval beyond 8 sec. did not increase recall, when a 2-sec. rate of presentation was used. A 2-factor explanation of the findings was suggested, in which cue learning was the major factor influencing recall at longer retention intervals, while a 2nd factor was confounded with cue learning at short retention intervals. An initial investigation varying the time interval between two presentations of an individual pair of associates has been reported (Peterson, Hillner, & Saltzman, 1962). Using a technique described earlier (Peterson, Saltzman, Hillner, & Land, 1962), presentations of other pairs of words and numbers filled both a spacing interval between two presentations and a retention interval from second presentation to test for recall. It was found that the retention curve after a 0-sec. spacing interval was higher at the 2- and 4-sec. retention intervals than the retention curve after an 8-sec. spacing interval. However, at the 8- and 16-sec. retention intervals the superiority was reversed. If one assumes that the retention curve reflects retained amount of learning in a simple way, then the finding of poorer retention the longer the interval between presentations seems quite reasonable. The retention curve drops off rapidly after one presentation and hence when a second increment to associative strength is given after an interval the summed