Individual differences in learning efficiency

Individual Differences in Learning EfficiencyKathleen B. McDermott and Christopher L. ZerrAbstract Most research on long-term memory uses an experimental approach whereby participants are assigned to different conditions, and condition means are the measures of interest. This approach has demonstrated repeatedly that conditions that slow the rate of learning tend to improve later retention. A neglected question is whether aggregate findings at the level of the group (i.e., slower learning tends to improve retention) translate to the level of individual people. We identify a discrepancy whereby —across people—slower learning tends to coincide with poorer memory. The positive relation between learning rate (speed of learning) and retention (amount remembered after a delay) across people is referred to as learning efficiency. A more efficient learner can acquire information faster and re member more of it over time. We discuss potential characteristics of efficient learners and consider future directions for research.Keywords learning efficiency, individual differences, memory, learning rate, retentionA few select quotes below. Dr. Joel Schneider and I have written elsewhere that we believe that attentional control (AC; a key mechanism of working memory or Gwm) is a key cognitive mechanism in learning and cognitive functioning.Learning strategy differences: Faster learners generate more mediators while learning, and these mediators tend to be both impleme...
Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) - Category: Neuroscience Tags: attentional control learning efficiency learning rate strategies Source Type: blogs