Studies of distributed practice. VIII. Learning and retention of paired nonsense syllables as a function of intralist similarity.

The rate of learning patred<*dje6tive lists is unrelated to iatertriai intervals up to 2 mm. when lists are ttted at a 2:2«tec. rare, i.e., 2 sec. the stimulus aloae and 2 see for the stimulus and response appearing -together (t). With materials of tew meaaiagfultiess the data ake somewhat contradictory. la one study Hovlaad (4) found that a 2-mie. rest alter each trial resulted iu no faster learning than did a 6-aec. rest for paired nonsense syllables, Is a subsequent study (S) however, the same conditions did produes more rapid teaming with spaced practice than with massed. Furthermore, the differences were magaiied if pairs were presented at a lil-sec. rate. Ho resolution of these conflicttag data is available. Early studies by Hovland (e.g., 3) have consistently shown that in sens! learning distributed pi acrice facilitates acquisition. Previously in his writ*