The type of cognitive processing most beneficial to memory may depend on the structure of the material and the type of retrieval test required. Relational encoding organizes words by their relationships, while item-specific encoding processes words on an individual basis. To obtain information on these cognitive processes as they relate to the use…

This bulletin concerns the role of memorization in mathematics instruction. Sections of the bulletin are devoted to discussions of: old math vs. new math; the importance of memorization ability on mathematics learning; misconceptions about memory; how to enhance the memory, including short-term vs. long-term memory systems, attention, interest,…

SEVENTY-FIVE FEMALE PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN A STUDY WHICH INVESTIGATED THE EFFECT OF GROUP PRESSURE ON THE RETENTION OF PREVIOUSLY LEARNED VERBAL MATERIAL IN A CONTROLLED LABORATORY SETTING. THE SUBJECTS WERE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO FIVE SITUATIONS, 15 TO A GROUP, AND WENT THROUGH 4 STEPS IN THE EXPERIMENT -- (1) ORIGINAL LEARNING, (2)…

The hypotheses of this study include: (1) intentional forgetting, operationalized by a forget signal, will produce augmented recall; (2) highly organized groups of sentences will produce the best recall; and (3) anxiety state will produce a complex interaction with the forget signal and degree of organization variable on the amount of materials…

Recent theories of verbal memory have hypothesized that memory for a stimulus is not represented by a unitary memory trace, but rather by a coding on several attributes of the event. The present experiment tested the differential forgetting hypothesis in a unique way. Words were presented either visually (V) or auditorally (A) in a continuous…

A brief review of some of the classic studies on thinking ability and thought processes, outlining five principles for the teaching of thinking. (SJL)

This study is concerned with the actual and potential memorizing strategies available to five-year-old children. A factorial design was employed with two conditions of presentation (blocked/random) combined with two conditions of recall (cued/uncued). The authors conclude that these children suffer from production deficiency rather than mediation…

Nineteen normal male subjects received one milligram of physotigmine or one milligram of saline by slow intravenous infusion on two nonconsecutive days. Physostigmine significantly enhanced storage of information into long-term memory. Retrieval of information from long-term memory was improved. Short-term memory processes were not significantly…

An experiment was carried out to study the processes of linguistic memory. Subjects were asked to read aloud brief prose passages and repeat what they had read. The "deviations" from the original passages were analyzed to determine the time of the deviation, during decoding or recall. (Text is in Italian.) (CFM)

Reviews questions that arise when considering critical thinking in the process of education. Key issues discussed include the definition of critical thought and effective ways to facilitate critical thinking skills. Concludes with an analysis of how children use thinking skills and the factors teachers need to consider when designing…

By understanding the different types of memory, the neurophysiology of brain chemical and anatomical changes associated with memory, and the ways to enhance the memory process, teachers can utilize proven technique--and develop their own--to guide students over that bleak terrain of memorization. From simplest recall of awareness, memory skills…

In the serial position memory task, a series of stimulus cards are placed face down in a row in front of the subject. A card identical to the stimulus card is then shown to the subject, who is required to indicate the position of this card in the stimulus array. The present three studies investigated the possibility that the labeling effect found…

When subjects are tested on ordered information, performance is better on inferences than on information actually presented during training. Humphreys suggested that superiority on inferences derives from differential frequency. This experiment refutes that position, demonstrating that superiority on inferences is observed even when frequency is…

This study examined first graders' use of strategic behavior (looking more during study and categorizing during study) in response to perceiving instructions versus remembering instructions. (BRT)

Recalls from five passages learned by undergraduates in the course of growing up in America were obtained. Recalls, while partial, were exact with no evidence of constructive memory. Results fit a simple model of associative chaining retrieval of passively stored surface structure units. (CHK)