robert bjork - the theory of disuse and the role of forgetting in human memory

Dr. Bjork explains how our intuitions about memory are often faulty and how the act of forgetting information can lead to a better retention of information in the long term. This has important implications in the field of education, where quick performance improvements are often counterproductive for the ultimate goal of long-term retention of information.

[@Thelinguist]

Most interesting. I believe this is relevant for language learning. I never focus on mastering the basics. I might review them, but mostly I listen, read, and eventually speak, always forgetting and relearning. I have learned to speak 14 languages in this way, 6 of them since the age of 55. I am now 68 and working on Ukrainian.

[@user-jz3lw5ps8q]

Steve Kaufmann - lingosteve human's memory is so amazing

[@AndroidGuru13]

have your learned any eastern languages with completely novel alphabets and language structure/phonemes?

[@self-actualizationtalkwith3288]

And here I was thinking my memory is terrible. It explains why its easy for me to bring new ideas.

[@ganeshlal3737]

surprised!!!!! earlier I thought my memory is bad ....but now I realized how lucky I am becoz if I forget more,I learn more....thank you Robert bjork!!!

[@mgrjade8807]

"Without continued access and use, memories of information or procedures are lost or decayed." "Rather than disuse causing things to decay, disuse leads to things becoming inaccessible but they remain in memory." "There's virtually unlimited storage capacity, but there are severe limits when it comes to retrieval side-how much is accessible right now, at this moment." "Retrieval strength completely determines whether something can be recalled, whereas storage strength determines how quickly information is lost or how quickly it is regained." "The higher the current retrieval strength, the smaller the gains in storage strength that results from additional practice or study." "Forgetting, rather than undoing learning, creates the opportunity to gain higher levels of learning. So as I space-as I let time go by from a first study opportunity-retrieval strength will decrease. If I test people, they'll be poor. But if I re-present the information, I gain better learning and be better off in the long term if I change the context." "As you forget, you create the potential to reach a new, higher level of learning." -Robert Bjork