Title

Keyword Mnemonic And Retention Of 2Nd-Language Vocabulary Words

Authors

Authors

A. Y. Wang; M. H. Thomas;J. A. Ouellette

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Educ. Psychol.

Keywords

Evaluating Forgetting Curves; Language Vocabulary; Verbal Lists; Acquisition; Mnemotechnics; Classroom; Caution; Context; Rates; Psychology, Educational

Abstract

Use of the keyword mnemonic has been shown to substantially increase learning speed and immediate recall of 2nd-language vocabulary words in comparison with other learning strategies. Although the majority of researchers examining long-term retention of material acquired through the keyword method have concluded that these gains are maintained over time, most have relied on experimental designs based on within-subject comparisons. However, within-subject comparisons of retention over time are confounded by both rates of initial acquisition and level of immediate recall. In this article data are presented from 4 experiments in which the retention interval (immediate vs. delay) was treated as a between-subjects factor. The findings consistently indicated that long-term forgetting was greater for learners instructed to use the keyword mnemonic than for learners engaged in rote rehearsal. It is suggested that preexperimental associations to keywords interfere with retrieval of the interactive images established in the laboratory.

Journal Title

Journal of Educational Psychology

Volume

84

Issue/Number

4

Publication Date

1-1-1992

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

520

Last Page

528

WOS Identifier

WOS:A1992JZ60300014

ISSN

0022-0663

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