![The Forgetting Curve Explication: Origins, Essential Insights, and Proven Methods [25 years later]](/en/img/20250618184913_what-is-ebbinghaus-forgetting-curve-memory-retention-model-history-and-strategies-to-combat-the-curve.jpeg)
Understanding the Decline Rate of Information Retention: Definition, Origins, and Essential Methods [2025]
Hey there! You ever wondered why you can't remember shit you just learned, like yesterdays' cheese sandwich recipe or that one math problem you solved two hours ago? Well, blame it all on Herrmann Ebbinghaus and that damn forgetting curve.
But don't be too hard on yourself - it's not exactly your fault. Ebbinghaus was a late 19th-century German psychologist who just so happened to discover this thing called the forgetting curve, a clever graph that shows how quickly we lose information over time, no matter how much effort we put into learning it.
The forgetting curve reveals a harsh truth: your brain is a forgittin' machine, mang! After just a day, you'll forget about half of what you learned, and by a week, that number goes up to 90%. How's that for a kick in the teeth?
But wait, there's good news. In 2015, some smarty-pants decided to do the exact same experiment as Ebbinghaus... turns out those pesky memories still follow the same ol' forgetting curve. So we ain't discarding this oldie-but-goodie just yet.
So, what causes this memory decay? According to Ebbinghaus, it comes down to three main factors:
- Strength and Relevance: Icky facts and info that don't captivate our attention will fade quicker than a Instagram story. It's all about how strong and relevant the ol' information is to us, ain't it?
- Time: In a learning context, forgetting gets even more forgettable, as your brain just replaces old memories with new ones. That's why just-in-time learning experiences are THE GOAT - train in the flow of work, and you'll get better retention.
- Presentation: Remember, people are more likely to remember if shit is presented logically, clearly, and engage-ably. Your brain won't have to waste precious energy deciphering gibberish, which means more energy for focusing on the good stuff.
But hey, why should we be bummed out about forgetting? After all, without forgetting, we'd be walking memory banks, and that's just plain lame. It's not exactly the trophy we'd want hanging in our brain case.
So, how do we defeat this forgetting curve, once and for all? Luckily, there are strategies for combatin' it:
- Reinforce Regularly: The more you reinforce your memory, the less you forget. Regularly reviewing new info can slow down that rate of forgettin'.
- Improve Clarity: The clearer the information, the better your brain can focus on the details, which makes remembering a breeze. Opt for diagrams, graphics, videos, or eLearning courses over lengthy text formats whenever possible.
- Keep it Relevant: Personal relevance makes memories stronger, so keep your corporate training engaging and tailored to each learner.
- Increase Interactivity: Involving learners in the process makes learning more engaging and promotes healthy competition - two surefire ways to keep learning fresh.
- Make it Accessible: Learning ain't easy when it's difficult to access orrequires constant availability. Make it easy for learners to access training anytime, anywhere, using innovative learning technology like mobile learning and the Growth Engineering Learning App.
And that, folks, is the lowdown on Herrmann Ebbinghaus, the forgetting curve, and how to combat it. Now go forth and remember the shit you gotta know!
If you're ready to improve your training strategy by embracing learning theories and models, download our free eBook on Using Learning Theories & Models to Improve Your Training Strategy
Science and health-and-wellness intersect as understanding the forgetting curve can aid mental health by improving learning effectiveness. For example, implementing strategies such as reinforcement, clarity, relevance, interactivity, and accessibility can boost your memory retention, making education-and-self-development more efficient and less stressful. Continuous learning and self-improvement are key to maintaining mental health, and understanding the forgetting curve can help learners make the most of their time and effort in the realm of learning.
