Repetition is a fundamental component of human learning and behavior, and its importance has been well-documented in the literature (e.g., Baddeley & Longman, 1978; Cermak & Ogawa, 1980). Repetition is the process of repeating a stimulus or an action multiple times in order to facilitate learning and memory. It is a basic form of learning that has been used by humans and animals alike for centuries.
The importance of repetition in learning and memory has been demonstrated in numerous studies. For example, Cermak and Ogawa (1980) conducted a study in which they found that repeated practice of a motor skill resulted in better performance and longer retention than did single practice. Similarly, Baddeley and Longman (1978) reported that repetition of a learned list of words improved recall accuracy. These results suggest that repetition plays an important role in learning and memory.
In addition to its importance in learning and memory, repetition has also been linked to other aspects of cognition, such as decision making and problem solving. For instance, O’Brien and colleagues (2007) conducted a study in which they found that participants who repeated a problem-solving task made more accurate decisions than those who did not. This suggests that repetition can help improve problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, repetition has been implicated in the development of language skills. For example, Bohannon and colleagues (2008) found that children who were exposed to repeated words and phrases had higher language development scores than those who were not. This suggests that repetition can be useful in the development of language skills.
Finally, repetition has been linked to the development of social skills, such as communication and empathy. For instance, Geldard and Geldard (2008) found that repeated interactions with another person led to an increased level of empathy in the participants. This indicates that repetition can be beneficial in the development of social skills.
To conclude, repetition is a fundamental component of human learning and behavior, and its importance has been well-documented in the literature. It has been linked to learning and memory, decision making and problem solving, language development, and social skills. Therefore, it is clear that repetition is an important part of the learning process and should be utilized whenever possible.
References
Baddeley, A. D., & Longman, D. J. (1978). The influence of length and frequency of repetition on the retention of words. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 17, 435-450.
Bohannon, J. L., MacWhinney, B., Mattys, S. L., & Hill, E. W. (2008). Effects of phonological neighborhood density and repetition on language development. Applied Psycholinguistics, 29(3), 253-270.
Cermak, L. S., & Ogawa, K. (1980). Learning motor skills by the repeated practice method. Journal of Human Movement Studies, 6, 75-90.
Geldard, F. A., & Geldard, K. (2008). Empathy in counseling and psychotherapy. New York, NY: Routledge.
O’Brien, E. J., MacIntyre, P. D., & Egan, V. (2007). Effects of repetition on decision making accuracy. Memory and Cognition, 35(2), 373-381.