A Review of Judgments of Learning and Executive Functions in Spaced Learning: The Enemy of Spacing?

Overview

Journal Cureus

Date 2025 Feb 10

PMID 39925536

Authors

Xuechen Yuan

Affiliations

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Abstract

The benefit of the spacing effect is inherently hindered by perception bias in making judgments of learning (JOLs), but more insights might be found in the context of executive functions (EF), where it correlates with metacognitive strategies and cognitive loads. Thus, this article attempts to address the dilemma of the spacing effect by synthesizing both existing JOL and EF perspectives. This paper yields various mechanisms related to memory performance in spaced learning: delayed JOLs, JOL reactivity, overt retrieval, inhibition control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. All of these factors associate with the theory of mind, an important yet understudied social-cognitive skill in spaced learning which could shift our ways of thinking about spacing.

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