Errorless learning and working memory: The impact of errors, distractors, and memory span load on immediate recall in healthy adults

Abstract

Errorless learning represents an important contribution to current neuropsychological rehabilitation. Previous research has mainly explained the benefits of errorless learning through properties of long-term memory. This study aims to explore how errors affect immediate recall performance. A new, supplementary perspective focusing on the role of working memory in errorless learning is introduced. Sixty university students participated in a within-subject design experiment measuring the effect of errors, memory span load, and attentional distractors on a digit recall task. Errors were found to have significant negative impact on immediate recall, while distractors had an effect only in interaction with errors.

Keywords:

• Errorless learning
• Working memory
• Attentional load
• Incongruent distractors
• Healthy adults
• Neuropsychological rehabilitation