Which method is most effective for long-term retention of information?

The method of distributed practice is most effective for long-term retention of information because it involves spreading out study sessions over a period of time rather than trying to learn everything in one sitting. This approach allows for better encoding of information into long-term memory, as it gives the brain time to consolidate the information between learning sessions. By revisiting material at spaced intervals, learners are more likely to strengthen their understanding and recall of the information.

Additionally, distributed practice encourages the brain to actively retrieve information during study sessions, which further enhances memory retention. This method contrasts sharply with cramming, which often leads to quick forgetting as the information is not reinforced over time. Focused studying on one topic, while it can be beneficial in the short term, does not leverage the advantages of spaced repetition. Similarly, simply reading and highlighting does not engage deeper cognitive processes that are essential for long-term memory retention. Overall, distributed practice is widely supported by research in cognitive psychology as the most effective study strategy for lasting retention of knowledge.