Subscribe
studies

Capeda (2006). Distributed Practice in Verbal Recall Tasks: A Review and Quantitative Synthesis

Table of Contents

Full Citation

Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed Practice in Verbal Recall Tasks: A Review and Quantitative Synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354–380. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.3.354

Abstract

The authors performed a meta-analysis of the distributed practice effect to illuminate the effects of temporal variables that have been neglected in previous reviews. This review found 839 assessments of distributed practice in 317 experiments located in 184 articles. Effects of spacing (consecutive massed presentations vs. spaced learning episodes) and lag (less spaced vs. more spaced learning episodes) were examined, as were expanding interstudy interval (ISI) effects. Analyses suggest that ISI and retention interval operate jointly to affect final-test retention; specifically, the ISI producing maximal retention increased as retention interval increased. Areas needing future research and theoretical implications are discussed.

Key Results

Important terms: 

  • Inter-session interval (ISI): the time between learning sessions.
  • Retention interval (RI): the time between the final learning session and the final test, where learning is assessed.
Result Name Effect Size Reliability
Spaced vs. Massed: Overall
Small
Small
High
High
Spaced vs. Massed: < 1 Min Retention Interval
Locked Become a Member
Locked Become a Member
Locked Become a Member
Spaced vs. Massed: 1 to 10 Min Retention Interval
Locked Become a Member
Locked Become a Member
Locked Become a Member
Spaced vs. Massed: 1 Day Retention Interval
Locked Become a Member
Locked Become a Member
Locked Become a Member
Spaced vs. Massed: 2 to 7 Day Retention Interval
Locked Become a Member
Locked Become a Member
Locked Become a Member
Spaced vs. Massed: 8 to 30 Days Retention Interval
Locked Become a Member
Locked Become a Member
Locked Become a Member

Study Characteristics

Learning Domain Declarative Learning
Study Topic Massed Practice, Spaced Practice
Study Type
Membership Required
Task Studied
Membership Required
Subject Type
Membership Required
Number of Studies
Membership Required
Quality Score (%)*
Membership Required
Unlock Full Access

* Study quality assessed using JBI Systematic Review Checklist.

Reviewer Notes

Cepeda et al. (2006) remains a landmark meta-analysis on distributed practice: 317 experiments, 14,000+ participants, and endless citations in declarative-learning reviews. Yet its early-2000s methodology (no dual screening, no bias checks) and its impractical “spaced” definitions (seconds-long lags) make it less impactful as a practical guide to multi-day spacing.

Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Donec lobortis risus a elit. Maecenas fermentum consequat mi. Integer in mauris eu nibh euismod gravida. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Integer in mauris eu nibh euismod gravida. Nulla vitae mauris non felis mollis faucibus. Nulla vitae mauris non felis mollis faucibus. Maecenas fermentum consequat mi. Maecenas fermentum consequat mi. Aliquam faucibus, elit ut dictum aliquet, felis nisl adipiscing sapien, sed malesuada diam lacus eget erat. Ut ullamcorper, ligula eu tempor congue, eros est euismod turpis, id tincidunt sapien risus a quam.

Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus. Aliquam faucibus, elit ut dictum aliquet, felis nisl adipiscing sapien, sed malesuada diam lacus eget erat. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer in mauris eu nibh euismod gravida. Donec lobortis risus a elit. Nulla gravida orci a odio. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Cras mollis scelerisque nunc. Maecenas fermentum consequat mi. Pellentesque malesuada nulla a mi. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

Nulla vitae mauris non felis mollis faucibus. Nullam varius, turpis et commodo pharetra, est eros bibendum elit, nec luctus magna felis sollicitudin mauris. Aliquam faucibus, elit ut dictum aliquet, felis nisl adipiscing sapien, sed malesuada diam lacus eget erat. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Duis sapien sem, aliquet nec, commodo eget, consequat quis, neque.

Pellentesque malesuada nulla a mi. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Maecenas fermentum consequat mi. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Nulla gravida orci a odio. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Etiam tempor. Maecenas fermentum consequat mi. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Etiam tempor. Aliquam faucibus, elit ut dictum aliquet, felis nisl adipiscing sapien, sed malesuada diam lacus eget erat. Maecenas fermentum consequat mi. Etiam tempor. Maecenas fermentum consequat mi. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus.

Cras mollis scelerisque nunc. Duis ac tellus et risus vulputate vehicula. Nulla gravida orci a odio. Duis ac tellus et risus vulputate vehicula. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Donec lobortis risus a elit. Ut ullamcorper, ligula eu tempor congue, eros est euismod turpis, id tincidunt sapien risus a quam.

Aliquam faucibus, elit ut dictum aliquet, felis nisl adipiscing sapien, sed malesuada diam lacus eget erat. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus. Donec lobortis risus a elit. Nullam varius, turpis et commodo pharetra, est eros bibendum elit, nec luctus magna felis sollicitudin mauris.

Nullam varius, turpis et commodo pharetra, est eros bibendum elit, nec luctus magna felis sollicitudin mauris. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis ac tellus et risus vulputate vehicula. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Additional References

  1. Soderstrom, N. C., & Bjork, R. A. (2015). Learning Versus Performance. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 176–199. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691615569000

Link to Study

Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed Practice in Verbal Recall Tasks: A Review and Quantitative Synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354–380. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.3.354

Privacy

Legal

Youtube Facebook Instagram Threads Linkedin

© Pavlonic Inc. 2024-2025. All Rights Reserved.