Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning - Core Vocabulary

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the primary cognitive science principles and learning strategies discussed in the textbook 'Make It Stick,' including retrieval practice, spaced repetition, and the psychological mechanisms behind memory consolidation.

Retrieval Practice

The act of recalling facts, concepts, or events from memory; an effective learning strategy that strengthens memory and interrupts forgetting.

Spaced Practice

A study strategy where practice sessions are broken into separate periods with time intervals in between, allowing for better long-term retention.

Interleaved Practice

A practice schedule where different but related topics or types of problems are mixed together rather than studied in blocks.

Elaboration

The process of giving new material meaning by expressing it in your own words and connecting it with prior knowledge.

Generation

An attempt to answer a question or solve a problem before being taught the solution, which leads to better learning and memory.

Desirable Difficulties

Short-term impediments that slow down the learning process and require more effort, but ultimately result in stronger and more durable learning.

Massed Practice

Single-minded, rapid-fire repetition of something one is trying to learn; commonly known as 'cramming' and is largely a waste of time for true mastery.

Consolidation

The neural process in which the brain reorganizes and stabilizes memory traces, typically occurring over hours or days.

Metacognition

The act of monitoring one's own thinking; being an accurate observer of one's own performance to judge what is known and unknown.

Mental Model

A mental representation of an external reality or a complex set of skills that helps one reason, solve problems, and create.

Illusion of Knowing

A cognitive bias where rising familiarity with a text or fluency in reading creates a false sense of mastery over the underlying ideas.

Growth Mindset

The belief that intellectual ability is not fixed from birth but can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence.

Structure Building

A cognitive process where a learner extracts salient ideas from new material and organizes them into a coherent mental framework.

Calibration

The act of using an objective instrument (like a quiz or practice test) to adjust one's judgment of mastered knowledge to align with reality.

Mnemonic Device

A mental tool or structure, such as a memory palace or acronym, used to organize and cue information for easier retrieval.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change its architecture and rewire itself in response to new learning and experience throughout life.