There is some research indicating that the presence of music adversely impacts academic task performance. While most of this research involves individuals reading text passages, few studies have explored how graphical representations contribute to the auditory distraction literature. The aim of our study was to investigate if concept maps, a…

Recent research has demonstrated chewing gum can enhance various cognitive processes associated with learning, but most studies have used cognitive functioning tasks (e.g., selective attention and working memory) as outcomes. Across two experiments, we investigated effects of chewing gum on self-reports of alertness and test performance following…

Summary Retrieval practice and spacing out studying help increase learning. Introductory Psychology students at nine colleges/universities took quizzes with more (RP+) or less (RP-) retrieval practice and more (SP+) or less (SP-) spacing between quizzes. We compared (N = 351) scores on class exams and on a standardized test. We also measured key…

We investigated the effect of retrieval practice (i.e., the use of testing to enhance learning) by middle school students on science learning in an authentic educational setting. For initial study, all students (n = 39) read a science text and made study notes about the text, a regular study activity in their course. For restudy (2 days later),…