What experimental method calculates how many repetitions are required to learn and relearn a list of nonsense syllables?

The method of savings is a technique developed by psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus to measure memory and learning efficiency. It specifically focuses on how many repetitions of material, such as a list of nonsense syllables, are needed for a person to learn and then relearn that material after a certain period.

This method works by comparing the number of trials or rehearsals required to learn the list to the number needed to relearn it after some time has passed. The difference in the number of trials illustrates how much information has been retained over time, which is quantified as "savings." This approach provides insight into the effects of time on learning and memory, making it a powerful tool in the study of cognitive psychology.

In contrast, other methods listed, such as the method of loci, involve associating information with specific spatial locations to aid memory retrieval, the feedback method focuses on providing information about performance to improve learning, and rehearsal techniques pertain to practicing the information repeatedly. While these methods are related to memory in various capacities, none are designed specifically to quantify the repetitions needed for learning and relearning in the same way that the method of savings does.