THE EFFECTS OF TASK ORGANIZATION, TRAINING TIME, AND RETENTION INTERVAL ON THE RETENTION OF SKILL
Abstract
Three variables (amount of training, task organization, and length of the retention interval), each at two levels, were studied to evaluate their influence upon the long-term retention of skill. Subjects were assigned to each of the eight experimental conditions, and were given practice on the criterion task for 2 or 3 weeks. The criterion task was composed of two subtasks,A PROCEDURAL TASK INVOLVING THE LEARNING OF DISCRETE RESPONSES TO DISCRETE STIMULI AND A TRACKING TASK WHICH INVOLVED CONTINUOUS CONTROL OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL COMPENSATORY DISPLAY. All subjects returned for a retention test either 1 or 4 weeks subsequent to the end of training. Amount of training had a significant influence upon the degree of measured retention loss, as did task organization under conditions of lesser training. This was found for both tracking performance and for the number of omissive errors committed in performing the procedural task. Amount of absolute retention was generally related to (a) amount of training, (b) task organization, and (c) the length of the retention interval. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0289890
Entities
People
- George E. Briggs
- James C. Naylor
- Walter G. Reed
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory