A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

According to the conclusions drawn from Grant et al (1998), what is the recommended study environment for students?

1. Studying in groups for better retention

2. Studying in complete silence

3. Studying with background music

4. Studying in noisy environments

The correct answer is: Studying in complete silence

The research conducted by Grant et al. (1998) emphasizes the importance of studying in an environment that closely resembles the conditions in which information will be recalled, particularly in relation to noise levels. Their findings suggest that students perform better on tests when they study in a quiet environment, especially when the testing conditions are also quiet. This aligns with the idea that a consistent study environment aids in retention and recall, as it reduces distractions and helps students to focus on the material. In contrast, options illustrating group study dynamics, background music, and noisy environments diverge from the study's conclusions. Group studying can introduce various distractions and may not fit every learner’s preference for concentration. Background music can also depend on personal preferences and can be distracting for some, affecting comprehension and memory retention. Noisy environments are generally detrimental to focus and can impair cognitive processing, leading to lower performance on tests compared to quieter settings. Thus, the recommendations advocate for a quieter, more controlled study atmosphere for optimal learning and recall.