Is there a memory profit after repeated learning of subject-performed actions? Comparing direct and long-term memory performance level as a function of age

Abstract

The present two studies investigated the possibility for improvement and maintenance of episodic memory in young and older adults. In a first study, the performance-enhancing effect of two separate as well as combined learning devices, enactive encoding and repeated learning, was tested. With a time lag of one week, four different series of 30 action phrases were encoded either verbally or by enacting them symbolically. Memory was assessed in four immediate free recall tests. In a second study, the maintenance of the memory profit was tested in an unexpected fifth session half a year later. As expected, there was a steady improvement of memory performance as a function of repeated learning in study one. This holds true regardless of age. In addition, enactive encoding led to a better memory performance than verbal encoding in both age groups. Moreover, younger adults outperformed the elderly regardless of type of encoding. The combination of the two learning devices was not efficient enough to eliminate aging effects in episodic memory. However, memory flexibility is demonstrated also in the elderly. In the long-term follow-up, maintenance of learning and memory could be found in all participant groups.

Enrichment Effects of Gestures and Pictures on Abstract Words in a Second Language

“…This is only possible after adequate learning and connected consolidation processes. In contrast to infants ( Yin and Csibra, 2015 ) and depending on the age of the learner ( Schatz et al, 2010 ), this process might need more stimulation than participants were provided in the present study. Hence, when learners retrieve the concept’s label, the word in L1 is an easy task compared to retrieving the word in L2.…”

The Effects of Language and Semantic Repetition on the Enactment Effect of Action Memory

“…On the other hand, studies also show performance improvements following learning repetition. Studies investigating repeated learning in SPT showed improved memory performance, likely as a result of enhanced item-specific processing (Schatz et al, 2010(Schatz et al, , 2011Kubik et al, 2014a,b). Thus, to combine the enhancing roles of deeper semantic treatment and repetition, the present study aimed to explore the effect of semantic repetition.…”

Exploring the enactment effect from an information processing view: What can we learn from serial position analyses?

“…Using a multi‐trail free recall paradigm, Schatz, Spranger and Knopf (2010) analyzed the enactment effect from a new perspective: In four sessions, taking place once a week, younger and older participants encoded 30 action phrases either verbally or by enactment. While the learning material was new in each of the successive sessions the type of encoding remained the same for each subject (VT or SPT).…”

“…Memory was assessed directly after the four encoding phases in free recall tests. Schatz et al . (2010) reported a significant age effect favoring younger subjects as well as an enactment effect for the older participants.…”

“…Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52 , 509–515. The focus of the present article was to analyze processes that determine the enactment and age effect in a multi‐trial free recall paradigm by looking at the serial position effects. In an experimental study (see Schatz et al 2010), the performance‐enhancing effect of enactive encoding and repeated learning was tested with older and younger participants. As expected, there was a steady improvement of memory performance as a function of repeated learning regardless of age.…”