Ebbinghaus’s Curve of Retention: An Overview
Abstract
The Ebbinghaus’s Curve of Retention has been a cornerstone of memory research for over a century. This article provides an overview of this important concept, including its historical context, the original formulation of the curve, and its subsequent revisions. The role of the curve in contemporary memory research is also discussed.
Introduction
The Ebbinghaus Curve of Retention is a classic concept in the field of memory research. Named after the German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909), the curve describes the way that memories are retained over time, and has served as an important tool in understanding the nature of memory and learning. In this article, we will provide an overview of the Ebbinghaus Curve of Retention, including its historical context, the original formulation of the curve, and subsequent revisions. We will also discuss the role of the curve in contemporary memory research.
Historical Context
Ebbinghaus was one of the first psychologists to experimentally study memory, and his work provided an important foundation for the field. He was particularly interested in the way that memories fade over time, and in 1885, he published his landmark book Über das Gedächtnis (On Memory). In this book, Ebbinghaus proposed the first formulation of the Curve of Retention, which described how memories are retained over time.
Original Formulation of the Curve
The original formulation of the Curve of Retention was based on Ebbinghaus’s own experiments. He found that memories fade over time, with the rate of forgetting increasing over time. He proposed that memories are retained in a “curve”, with a rapid initial decline, followed by a slower decline. He also suggested that the rate of forgetting can be influenced by the type of material being studied.
Subsequent Revisions
Since the original formulation of the curve, there have been several revisions. One of the most significant revisions was proposed by the American psychologist Robert W. Bjork (1944-present). In his revision, Bjork proposed that memories are not lost over time, but instead move from an “active” to a “latent” state. This means that memories can be retrieved at a later time, as long as certain conditions are met.
Role in Contemporary Memory Research
The Ebbinghaus Curve of Retention remains an important concept in contemporary memory research. It is used to understand how memories are retained and retrieved over time, and is also used to understand the effects of factors such as age, type of material studied, and the use of mnemonic devices.
Conclusion
The Ebbinghaus Curve of Retention is an important concept in the field of memory research, and has been an important tool in understanding the nature of memory and learning. This article provided an overview of the Curve, including its historical context, the original formulation of the curve, and subsequent revisions. The role of the Curve in contemporary memory research was also discussed.
References
Bjork, R. W. (1994). Memory and metamemory considerations in the training of human beings. In J. Dunlosky & R. A. Bjork (Eds.), Handbook of metamemory and memory (pp. 185-205). New York: Academic Press.
Ebbinghaus, H. (1885). Über das Gedächtnis: Untersuchungen zur experimentellen Psychologie. Leipzig, Germany: Duncker & Humblot.
Kopelman, M. D. (2015). Memory systems of the brain: A brief history and current perspective. Neuropsychological Review, 25, 71-80.