L·05
Learning & Memory
Guess Before You're Told
Attempting an answer before learning it improves later retention — even when the guess is wrong.
- Evidence
- solid
- Topic
- Learning
- Things to do
- 3
- Read
- 1 min
solidHow strong is the evidence?
Good evidence behind it, but fewer people have checked it independently.
- Richland, Kornell & Kao, 2009
- Kornell, Hays & Bjork, 2009
Why it works
The failed guess activates the surrounding knowledge and creates a gap the real answer slots into. Being told first fills nothing in.
What to do about it
- Before a chapter, a talk or a briefing, write down what you think it will say.
- Before asking anyone for an answer, write your own. Then compare.
- Predict the outcome of a meeting before it starts and read it back afterwards.
Where people go wrong
Skipping the guess because you're sure you don't know. Not knowing is the condition under which it works.
Read next
- Retrieval Beats ReviewTrying to recall something strengthens memory far more than reading it again. Rereading mostly builds confidence.proven
- SpacingThe same total study time, spread out, produces far more durable memory than massed together.proven
- InterleavingMixing problem types during practice feels worse and performs better than doing them in blocks.proven
- Ask Why It's TrueAsking “why would that be the case?” while reading beats any amount of summarising.solid