Effects of Massed Versus Distributed Learning in Younger Adults

Event: Undergraduate Research Symposium
Date: May 18, 2019
Location: UCI Student Center

Presenters: Elena Park, Joanna Nguyen, Amanda Bishop 
Mentors: Susanne Jaeggi, Austin Moon

Title: Effects of Massed Versus Distributed Learning in Younger Adults

Abstract

Rigorous cognitive training has been implemented in an attempt to measure working memory capacity and executive functions while also observing transfer and spacing effects on fluid intelligence. Transfer effects can be seen as coexisting cognitive functions beyond the training threshold, whereas spacing effect refers to the degree of memory retention in between timely gaps separating training. Prior literature does not focus on different spacing intervals in order to determine the extent of transfer in a young adult population. In this study, young adult participants completed ten training sessions with a designated training program. The participants were given one of two possible programs for their training sessions: MatchQuest was used for experimental training while Knowledge Builders was for control training. The spacing conditions implemented were every day, every other day, or twice a day. Through the manipulation of training distribution and type of training program used, we hypothesized that participants in the every other day condition would yield the most benefit for working memory capacity and function. With preliminary findings, there appeared to be an improvement with training for each spacing condition and an improvement in the performance of working memory tasks after each session. Thus, the type and spacing of the training sessions do play a significant role in cognitive function and working memory capacity on the younger adult population, which leads to a transfer or increase in cognitive function. Individuals displayed an improvement throughout their training and transfer successfully occurred, displaying an improvement in working memory.

Elena Park, Amanda Bishop, Joanna Nguyen at 2019 UROP Symposium