Page:Memory (1913).djvu/91

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Retention as a Function of Repeated Learning
83
3. Two series of 36 syllables each.
I II III IV V VI
115 52 23 18 9 8
124 59 33 21 12 10
137 55 26 17 12 8
109 48 21 16 10 10
87 39 21 15 13 8
105 40 22 17 12 10
110 41 21 16 10 11
m112 48 24 17 11 9
P.E.m4 2 1 .1 0 .5 0 .4 0 .3


4. Six stanzas of Byron's “Don Juan” (Canto X).
I II III IV
53 29 18 11
56 29 16 10
53 30 15 10
49 25 14 9
53 27 16 10
53 34 21 9
50 28 17 10
m52 29 17 10
P.E.m0 .6 0 .7 0 .6 0 .2


In order to bring out more clearly the separate relations which exist between the resulting averages, it is necessary to reduce the total figures to the same unit—i.e., to divide them in each case by the number of series constituting a single trial. If this is done and the repetition necessary for the recital is deducted, the following table results, fractions being given to the nearest half or quarter.


Number of
syllables in
one series
Number of repetitions which, on the average, were
necessary for the bare learning of the series on
successive days
I II III IV V VI
12 16 .5 11 . 7 .5 5 . 3. 2 .5
24 44 . 22 .5 12 .5 7 .5 4 .5 3 .5
36 55 . 23 . 11 . 7 .5 4 .5 3 .5
1 stanza D. J. 7 .75 3 .75 1 .75 0 .5 (0) . (0) .


From several points of view these numbers require further consideration.