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Sketchpad Series

Exposure to semantic information prior to retrieval practice accelerates learning of chemistry molecule names

Poster Session C - Sunday, March 30, 2025, 5:00 – 7:00 pm EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Janvi Subramanyan¹ (janvisubramanyan2023@u.northwestern.edu), Evan Grandoit¹, Paul J. Reber¹; ¹Northwestern University

Rote learning by simple repetition is effective for memorization but is often thought to be inferior to learning in the context of richer content in education. Here we sought to test how acquisition of factual information could be accelerated by providing relevant semantic information before learning through repetition. We hypothesized that having initial semantic information from instruction would create a more robust associative network for word-image associations that will increase the likelihood of durable memory formation. Participants attempted to learn image-name associations for a set of 50 novel chemistry molecules over a 45-minute study session. In one condition, participants were presented with instructional slides explaining five rules for identifying parts of molecules related to their names (e.g., molecules containing ketones end with ‘-one’; 10 molecules per rule), followed by three random-order study repetitions where they attempted to select the correct molecule name from four options (4AFC) with feedback to allow for trial-and-error learning. In the other condition, participants did not learn the naming rules, and instead engaged in an extra repetition of 4AFC practice (four total) to match total learning time across conditions. All participants showed a significant increase between pretest and posttest scores, indicating robust learning of the chemical structure-name associations. The instructed participants exhibited significantly greater learning than non-instructed participants. We conclude that exposure to the theoretical basis of the chemical word-image associations enhances initial learning of each cued structure and its name, and facilitates a stronger associative link when later retrieved, compared to trial-and-error training alone.

Topic Area: LONG-TERM MEMORY: Semantic