Learning and forgetting in mental and mechanical tasks: A comparative study

This study compares learning and forgetting of mental and mechanical tasks. Fifty-eight subjects performed a simple mechanical and complex mental task repetitively. After completing half the repetitions on each task type, each subject took a break ranging from 2 to 6 weeks before completing the remaining repetitions. The learning and forgetting processes of the participating subjects are analyzed by fitting appropriate models. The results of hypothesis testing regarding the relationship between the learning and forgetting models of mechanical and mental tasks are reported and discussed.