Comparison of Inhibition and Consolidation Theories of Spaced Practice Effects

Abstract

Inhibition and consolidation theories of spaced practice effects in psychomotor performance were compared in terms of the accuracy with which they were able to forecast the decremental consequences of massed practice following variable amounts of well-spaced practice on a rotary pursuit task. As predicted by inhibition theory, the rate of performance decrement during the massed trials was independent of the amount of previously spaced practice. This was contrary to an implication of consolidation theory, which predicted an inverse relationship between decremental rate and amount of previous practice. These and kindred data, reviewed herein, continue to sustain inhibition theory as the explanation of choice.