[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4o after I gave it a 2 minute ramble and asked it to turn it into a 1000 word blog post]
Understanding the concept of the forgetting curve can significantly enhance our ability to combat learning loss. The forgetting curve, first introduced by Hermann Ebbinghaus, demonstrates how information is lost over time when there is no attempt to retain it. This curve typically shows a steep decline in the retention of new information immediately after it is learned, which gradually slows down over time. However, by periodically revisiting the material, the rate of forgetting decreases, making it easier to remember the information long-term.
Imagine you're trying to learn a new language. Initially, you might find it difficult to remember new words and grammar rules. According to the forgetting curve, if you do not review what you've learned, you could forget up to 70% of the material within 24 hours. However, if you review the material after a few days, and then again after a week or two, you'll notice that the information sticks better each time. With each review session, the curve shoots up, and the rate at which you forget the material decreases. After about six or seven repetitions, you will have internalized the information, making it a part of your long-term memory.
The concept of the forgetting curve is not just limited to mental learning; it can also be applied to physical skills such as playing a sport or weightlifting. Just as your brain forgets information, your muscles can lose their performance capacity if you do not engage in regular physical activity. This phenomenon can be thought of as a "physical forgetting curve." Consider the example of playing tennis. If you haven’t played for a few weeks, your muscle memory and overall performance will have declined. The more time that passes without practice, the more pronounced the decline. However, if you practice tennis regularly, your performance curve will stabilize. Just like with mental learning, the key to maintaining and improving your physical skills lies in spaced repetition and deliberate practice.
When it comes to physical activities, combating learning loss involves maintaining a regular practice schedule. Imagine you’re lifting weights. If you lift weights consistently, your muscles will adapt and grow stronger over time. However, if you take a long break, your muscles will weaken, and your performance will drop. By lifting weights regularly and progressively challenging yourself, you can prevent this decline. For example, if you usually bench press 150 pounds, taking a month off might set you back to lifting 130 pounds when you return. But by gradually increasing your weight and intensity, you can surpass your previous limits.
This concept can be extended to any physical skill. For instance, if you’re learning to play the guitar, regular practice is essential. Each practice session reinforces your muscle memory, making it easier to play complex chords and melodies. Over time, with consistent practice, you’ll find that you can play more effortlessly and with greater precision.
Deliberate practice is a method of practice that involves focused and intentional efforts to improve performance. It’s not just about putting in hours of practice; it’s about practicing with the goal of addressing weaknesses and refining skills. For example, if you’re a runner, deliberate practice might involve working on your stride, improving your breathing technique, and increasing your stamina through interval training. When applied to the forgetting curve, deliberate practice can significantly enhance both mental and physical learning. By identifying specific areas that need improvement and working on them regularly, you can ensure that your performance curve doesn’t just maintain its level but actually improves over time.
Consider the regimen of a professional athlete like Serena Williams. Her training isn’t just about playing tennis matches; it includes a mix of strength training, flexibility exercises, and strategic practice sessions focused on specific aspects of her game. This kind of deliberate practice ensures that she doesn’t just maintain her skill level but continues to improve and refine her abilities. Even during the off-season, athletes like Serena engage in training to keep their skills sharp and to prevent any decline in performance.
Though the forgetting curve applies differently to mental and physical skills, the principles of spaced repetition and deliberate practice are common to both. For mental learning, this means reviewing information at strategic intervals to reinforce memory. For physical skills, it means engaging in regular, focused practice sessions to build and maintain muscle memory. Let’s take the example of a pianist learning a new piece of music. Initially, the pianist might struggle with the notes and rhythm. However, by practicing small sections of the piece repeatedly, the pianist reinforces their muscle memory. Over time, the pianist can play the entire piece smoothly. This process mirrors the way we reinforce mental learning through repeated reviews.
Both mental and physical learning involve overcoming plateaus—periods where progress seems to stall. In mental learning, this might happen when trying to grasp a particularly difficult concept. In physical training, it might occur when your performance levels off despite regular practice. To overcome these plateaus, it’s essential to vary your practice routines. For mental learning, this might involve studying the material in different contexts or using various study techniques. For physical training, it might mean changing up your exercises or increasing the intensity of your workouts. By challenging yourself in new ways, you can push past these plateaus and continue improving.
Understanding the forgetting curve and its implications for both mental and physical learning can greatly enhance our ability to retain information and maintain physical skills. By employing strategies such as spaced repetition and deliberate practice, we can combat learning loss and ensure continuous improvement. Whether you’re learning a new language, playing a sport, or mastering a musical instrument, these principles can help you achieve your goals more effectively. In essence, both mental and physical learning involve a similar process: regular, focused practice to reinforce memory and skills. By acknowledging and addressing the forgetting curve, we can better navigate the challenges of learning and emerge stronger, both mentally and physically.