Specific questions during retrieval practice are better for texts containing seductive details

Abstract: We investigated how to optimize the effectiveness of retrieval-based learning when the instructional text comprises seductive details (i.e., interesting but irrelevant text adjuncts). Specific questions during retrieval practice should help students focus their recall on main ideas—and not on seductive details, which should in turn foster delayed post-test performance. In this experiment, participants (N = 103) learned from an instructional text about coffee, either with or without seductive details; in subsequent retrieval practice, the participants received either unspecific or specific questions (2 × 2 between-subjects design). One week later, all participants received a delayed posttest assessing learning outcomes. As expected, when the instructional text comprised seductive details, participants given specific questions during retrieval practice had better learning outcomes than those given an unspecific question. We conclude that retrieval tasks should be aligned with learning materials: more specific retrieval tasks are better for materials including irrelevant information

Location
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
Extent
Online-Ressource
Language
Englisch
Notes
Applied cognitive psychology. - 36, 5 (2022) , 996-1008, ISSN: 1099-0720

Event
Veröffentlichung
(where)
Freiburg
(who)
Universität
(when)
2022
Creator

DOI
10.1002/acp.3984
URN
urn:nbn:de:bsz:25-freidok-2314386
Rights
Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
Last update
15.08.2025, 7:23 AM CEST

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Associated

Time of origin

  • 2022

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