Is This Going to Be on The Test? Test Expectancy Moderates the Disfluency Effect with Sans Forgetica

Abstract

Recent work examining the mnemonic effects of Sans Forgetica have yielded discrepant findings; some research finds support for the idea that the novel, disfluent typeface improves memory while other research does not. To explore this discrepancy, the current study examined a boundary condition that determines when Sans Forgetica is and is not beneficial to learning. Specifically, we examined whether knowledge about an upcoming test (high test expectancy) versus not (low test expectancy) helps clarify when mnemonic benefits arise and when they do not. In Experiment 1 (preregistered, N = 231), we found that Sans Forgetica is a desirable difficulty, but only under the right circumstances. That is, Sans Forgetica was in fact perceptually disfluent as evinced by lower JOLs and increased study times. However, we observed improved memory on an old/new recognition test only when there was no expectation of a final test. When participants expected a test, the effect disappeared. In Experiment 2 (N = 116), we conceptually replicated the results of Experiment 1 using a cued recall test. Caution should be taken in interpreting these results, however. Not only were the effect sizes small, but low testing expectancy may not be realistically achievable in actual educational contexts. Echoing our prior arguments, students wanting to remember more and forget less should stick to other, more empirically supported desirable difficulties shown to enhance memory.