Making errorless learning more active: Self-generation in an error free learning context is superior to standard errorless learning of face–name associations in people with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Errorless learning (EL) principles have been shown to enable people with memory impairments to acquire various types of information (Grandmaison & Simard, 2003; Wilson, 2005). However, the effects of EL, based on simple repetition only, tend to be limited with regards to their size and longevity. The present study investigated whether EL could be improved by actively engaging people with Alzheimer's disease in the learning process. Patients learned the names of famous faces over 10 training sessions, treated either with a non-learning control, a simple repetition EL procedure, or an EL condition in which responses had to be self-generated. Cued recall rates after the final training session were significantly greater for the names treated with the self-generated EL technique compared to the control and the repetition EL conditions. In addition, there was evidence that patients with less severe general cognitive impairment benefit more from active generation than more severely impaired patients. The implications of this research for individualised memory rehabilitation programmes are discussed.

Keywords:

• Errorless learning
• Generation
• Memory
• Alzheimer's disease

Acknowledgments

We would like thank all patients, relatives and carers who took part in this study. This research was supported by a grant from the Stella Symons Charitable Trust.