Learning By The Keyword Mnemonic: Looking For Long-Term Benefits

    Authors

    M. H. Thomas;A. Y. Wang

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Exp. Psychol.-Appl.

    Keywords

    VOCABULARY INSTRUCTION; LANGUAGE VOCABULARY; RETENTION; MEMORY; STRATEGY; MNEMOTECHNICS; IMAGERY; RECALL; PROSE; WORDS; Psychology, Applied

    Abstract

    Although using the keyword mnemonic to-learn new vocabulary items enhances performance on tests of immediate cued recall when compared with control strategies, the reverse is true after a delay. The authors examined long-term retention of second language vocabulary with 2 variants of the keyword method: self-generated keywords (Experiment 1) and mnemonic pictures (Experiment 2). Results showed that keyword generation did not attenuate forgetting, but provision of pictures of the keyword and translation referent during study improved long-term retention. Pictures may increase the visual detail of interactive images and hence the stability of the memory trace (Experiment 3). However, designers of instructional modules should be aware that immediate gains evidenced by learners who use the standard keyword technique may dissipate rapidly.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Experimental Psychology-Applied

    Volume

    2

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-1996

    Document Type

    Article; Proceedings Paper

    Language

    English

    First Page

    330

    Last Page

    342

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:A1996VZ43200003

    ISSN

    1076-898X

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