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Why is retrieval practice beneficial for memory? An evaluation of the mediator shift hypothesis

Pyc, Mary A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1283177446

Abstract Details

2010, PHD, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
Although the memorial benefits of testing are well established empirically, the mechanisms underlying this benefit are not well understood. The current studies evaluated the mediator shift hypothesis, which states that test practice is beneficial for memory because retrieval failures during practice allow individuals to evaluate the effectiveness of mediators and to shift from less effective to more effective mediators. Across a series of experiments, participants used a keyword encoding strategy to learn word pairs with test-restudy or restudy practice. A robust testing effect obtained in all experiments, and results supported predictions of the mediator shift hypothesis. First, a greater proportion of keyword shifts occurred during test-restudy practice versus restudy practice. Second, a greater proportion of keyword shifts occurred after retrieval failure trials versus retrieval success trials during test-restudy practice. Third, a greater proportion of keywords were recalled on a final keyword recall test after test-restudy versus restudy practice.
Katherine Rawson, PhD (Committee Chair)
Maria Zaragoza, PhD (Committee Member)
Jeffrey Ciesla, PhD (Committee Member)
Christopher Was, PhD (Committee Member)
Mary Ann Heiss, PhD (Committee Member)
68 p.
Psychology
testing effects; retrieval practice; memory

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pyc, M. A. (2010). Why is retrieval practice beneficial for memory? An evaluation of the mediator shift hypothesis [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1283177446

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pyc, Mary. Why is retrieval practice beneficial for memory? An evaluation of the mediator shift hypothesis. 2010. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1283177446.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pyc, Mary. "Why is retrieval practice beneficial for memory? An evaluation of the mediator shift hypothesis." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1283177446

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1283177446
868
© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.