For short maze problems, massed learning effort is more economical than distributed effort in trials, time and errors, for both rats and human adults¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · causal r1 · q2
Currency · newest study 1921 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Provided the maze problem is short, massed effort is more economical than distributed effort whether economy is measured in trials, time or errors. → Pechstein 1921 q2 i? The massed advantage holds for both groups of rats and groups of human adults learning the maze sections. → Pechstein 1921

Evidence¶

Pechstein 1921¶

Pechstein, L. A. (1921). Massed vs. Distributed Effort in Learning. The Journal of Educational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0070137

q2 · i? · causal · r1

Table I reports mean trials, time and errors for two groups of rats (nine per group) and two groups of humans (six per group) learning Maze A by the part method under distributed versus massed conditions, with massed records lower in each section. The author concludes it is "more economical to mass learning effort than to distribute it".

"First, provided the maze problem is short, it is more economical to mass learning effort than to distribute it, irrespective whether economy is estimated in terms of trials, time or errors."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• The longer and more difficult the motor problem, the more advisable it is to break it into units and learn both the units and their connections under massed conditions — related
• The massed-versus-distributed question is tied to the whole-versus-part question: the hard problem remains hard unless learned in parts under massed conditions — related
• Short maze units learned under massed conditions connect into a serial whole with great economy, whereas units learned under distributed conditions connect only with extreme difficulty — related
• Relearning-to-criterion designs confound distribution of practice with amount of second-session practice — related
• Spaced Practice Improves Retention — related
• For rats, whole and part maze learning show no difference in trials, but the whole method saves time and errors — related