Memory expert reveals how errorful learning enhances retention better than repetition

What was said

"The best way to remember something is to again failures. I'll have you draw it without looking at it and you struggling. Wait, is it on the left or right? And is it stem or a leaf? And you're starting to question all of these things. Then when you look at the logo again, you're going to engage in better learning than if you hadn't done that errorful kind of trial beforehand."

Dr. Alan Castel explains that making mistakes and struggling to recall information creates stronger memories than passive exposure. Testing yourself before learning creates productive errors that enhance later encoding. This applies even to familiar images like the Apple logo, which people cannot accurately draw despite seeing it countless times.