Hermann ebbinghaus biography graphic organizer

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Ebbinghaus was a German psychologist and philosopher, whose rigorous empirical studies laid the groundwork for much of modern cognitive psychology. It shows that memory retention decreases rapidly at first, but the rate of forgetting slows down after a period of time.

What did Ebbinghaus discover about memory?

Ebbinghaus discovered the forgetting curve, the spacing effect, and the use of nonsense syllables in memory experiments.

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Ebbinghaus returned to Germany to serve as a lecturer at the University of Berlin, conducting his second set of memory experiments in 1883. Each repetition in learning has shown to increase the optimum interval before the next repetition is needed.

hermann ebbinghaus biography graphic organizer

His philosophy emphasized the scientific study of knowledge and the mind, influencing his psychological research and experimental methods.

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    He is famous for his discovery of the "forgetting curve." Ebbinghaus also introduced fundamental scientific techniques to the field of psychology. ISBN 0405051387

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All links retrieved July 15, 2024. Establishing multiple laboratories throughout Central Europe for purposes of psychological research and study, Ebbinghaus is often credited with the advancement and promotion of the psychological field in its earliest years.

Created the gap test, based on the reading of sentences in which the subject had to fill in the gaps left by the evaluator (first the complete sentences were read and later the same ones but without certain words or groups of words). In a series of experiments conducted in the late 19th century, Ebbinghaus used himself as the sole participant and tested his ability to memorize and recall lists of nonsense syllables.

This innovative method removed external factors and allowed for an unbiased study of memory retention.

Contributions to Philosophy

While Ebbinghaus is best known for his work in psychology, he also made significant contributions to philosophy, especially in the areas of epistemology and logic. Ebbinghaus studied at several universities, including the University of Bonn and the University of Berlin.

After receiving his degree, he studied independently throughout parts of Berlin, France, and England, conducting his first set of memory experiments in 1878. This important psychologist and philosopher was one of the first to use scientific methodology in the study and analysis of higher cognitive ability. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited.

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Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850 – 1909) was a Germanphilosopher and psychologist who pioneered numerous experimental studies of memory. The forgetting curve illustrates the decline of memory retention over time and is related to the concept of strength of memory which refers to the durability that memory traces in the brain.

He also discovered that forgetting happens most rapidly right after learning occurs and slows down over time. He eventually earned his doctorate in philosophy in 1873 under the supervision of the philosopher Friedrich Lange.

Early years: training and military service

In 1867 a young Hermann Ebbinghaus would begin his university studies at the University of Bonn, interested in history and philology.