Predictive learning as the basis of the testing effect
Abstract A prominent learning phenomenon is the testing effect, meaning that testing enhances retention more than studying. Emergent frameworks propose fundamental (Hebbian and predictive) learning principles as its basis. Predictive learning posits that learning occurs based on the contrast (error)...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Communications Psychology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-025-00200-1 |
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| _version_ | 1832571347475103744 |
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| author | Haopeng Chen Cathy Hauspie Kate Ergo Cristian Buc Calderon Tom Verguts |
| author_facet | Haopeng Chen Cathy Hauspie Kate Ergo Cristian Buc Calderon Tom Verguts |
| author_sort | Haopeng Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract A prominent learning phenomenon is the testing effect, meaning that testing enhances retention more than studying. Emergent frameworks propose fundamental (Hebbian and predictive) learning principles as its basis. Predictive learning posits that learning occurs based on the contrast (error) between a prediction and the feedback on that prediction (prediction error). Here, we propose that in testing (but not studying) scenarios, participants predict potential answers, and its contrast with the subsequent feedback yields a prediction error, which facilitates testing-based learning. To investigate this, we developed an associative memory network incorporating Hebbian and/or predictive learning, together with an experimental design where human participants studied or tested English-Swahili word pairs followed by recognition. Three behavioral experiments (N = 80, 81, 62) showed robust testing effects when feedback was provided. Model fitting (of 10 different models) suggested that only models incorporating predictive learning can account for the breadth of data associated with the testing effect. Our data and model suggest that predictive learning underlies the testing effect. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fa59ee59d645488096037c1d3f5398e2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2731-9121 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-fa59ee59d645488096037c1d3f5398e22025-02-02T12:41:23ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Psychology2731-91212025-02-013111310.1038/s44271-025-00200-1Predictive learning as the basis of the testing effectHaopeng Chen0Cathy Hauspie1Kate Ergo2Cristian Buc Calderon3Tom Verguts4Department of Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent UniversityDepartment of Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent UniversityMicrosoft BeLuxCentro Nacional de Inteligencia Artificial (CENIA)Department of Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent UniversityAbstract A prominent learning phenomenon is the testing effect, meaning that testing enhances retention more than studying. Emergent frameworks propose fundamental (Hebbian and predictive) learning principles as its basis. Predictive learning posits that learning occurs based on the contrast (error) between a prediction and the feedback on that prediction (prediction error). Here, we propose that in testing (but not studying) scenarios, participants predict potential answers, and its contrast with the subsequent feedback yields a prediction error, which facilitates testing-based learning. To investigate this, we developed an associative memory network incorporating Hebbian and/or predictive learning, together with an experimental design where human participants studied or tested English-Swahili word pairs followed by recognition. Three behavioral experiments (N = 80, 81, 62) showed robust testing effects when feedback was provided. Model fitting (of 10 different models) suggested that only models incorporating predictive learning can account for the breadth of data associated with the testing effect. Our data and model suggest that predictive learning underlies the testing effect.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-025-00200-1 |
| spellingShingle | Haopeng Chen Cathy Hauspie Kate Ergo Cristian Buc Calderon Tom Verguts Predictive learning as the basis of the testing effect Communications Psychology |
| title | Predictive learning as the basis of the testing effect |
| title_full | Predictive learning as the basis of the testing effect |
| title_fullStr | Predictive learning as the basis of the testing effect |
| title_full_unstemmed | Predictive learning as the basis of the testing effect |
| title_short | Predictive learning as the basis of the testing effect |
| title_sort | predictive learning as the basis of the testing effect |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-025-00200-1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT haopengchen predictivelearningasthebasisofthetestingeffect AT cathyhauspie predictivelearningasthebasisofthetestingeffect AT kateergo predictivelearningasthebasisofthetestingeffect AT cristianbuccalderon predictivelearningasthebasisofthetestingeffect AT tomverguts predictivelearningasthebasisofthetestingeffect |