The forward-looking recall effect

In psychological research it is a well-established phenomenon that recalling learned information during the learning process improves long-term retention of this information. The same applies to the finding that testing during the learning process has a positive effect on the learning of subsequent new information. Both effects referred to in the literature as the backward and forward effects are phenomena of the testing effect. The testing effect generally describes the positive effects of intermediate retrieval exercises on the learning process. Various studies have examined both phenomena in terms of their development at different ages. The present study focuses primarily on the development of the forward effect in middle and late adulthood.