Bitesize Research: Rewards and the Impact on Memory

This week, I wanted to share with you a study published by Nature Communications in April 2020 by Aberg et. al from the University of Geneva.

Objectives of study: It is well established that rewards or praise have a positive impact on memory; knowledge retention is more likely when connected to praise.  However, this study looked at two unique areas; firstly how rewards had a long-term impact on memory and knowledge retention, and secondly how the accumulation of rewards impacted knowledge retention.

Summary of findings:  

• The best results for memory retention were not associated with the highest accumulation of rewards. 

• This suggests that both motivation and challenge were equally important - if the task is too easy or too difficult, motivation decreases and that affects our brain’s ability to encode information. 

• In the brain, memory is primarily managed by the hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for encoding and storing memories. 

• When a reward is involved, however, another brain region is activated - the ventral tegmental area - which is involved in the reward system and responsible for the release of dopamine related to the satisfaction of obtaining a reward.

• The dialogue between these two brain areas helps maintain motivation, improve learning, and consolidate memories, even over time

How does this impact me and my practice?: Some reflections questions arising from this that might be helpful to consider are: 

• How do I use praise and rewards to support students’ memory retention?

• When students are able to demonstrate the retention of knowledge, what praise can we offer to ensure that motivation, as well as consolidation of learning, is strong over time?

• How can I ensure I am offering a good level of challenge to support motivation?

If anyone would like to discuss this further with me (Jaya) - please comment below! I’d be delighted to open up these discussions and conversations.