Repeated retention testing effects do not generalize to a contextual interference protocol.
Three experiments examined repeated retention testing effects in a contextual interference (CI) protocol. Retention was assessed at 10 min and 24 hr following acquisition or at just 24-hr for the one-test conditions. Experiments 1 and 2 used speeded-response key-pressing tasks. Dependent measures were total time and errors. Experiment 3 used sequential-timing tasks. Dependent measures were absolute error and absolute constant error Results revealed CI effects in each experiment. Repeated retention testing effects were not found in Experiments 1 and 3. Experiment 2 revealed superior performance by the two-test condition compared to the one-test condition. This result was qualified by possible practice effects during the 10-min test. It was concluded that repeated retention testing does not present problems for most studies of CI.
Fairbrother
Jeffrey T
JT
Department of Exercise, Sport, and Leisure Studies, University of Tennessee, USA. jfairbr1@utk.edu
Shea
John B
JB
Marzilli
T Scott
TS
D004193:Discrimination Learning; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014481:United States