Definition:

Maintenance Rehearsal refers to the cognitive process of repeating or continuously reviewing information in order to keep it in short-term memory for a longer duration. It is a mnemonic technique that involves repetitive mental or verbal repetition of the information, which helps in retaining and prolonging its presence in the working memory.

Explanation:

Maintenance rehearsal involves actively keeping the information alive in one’s mind without the intention of analyzing or fully understanding it. This technique is often used when individuals are trying to remember a specific piece of information, such as a phone number, a list of items, or a short-term task. By repeatedly rehearsing the information, the individual aims to prevent forgetting and ensure its availability when needed.

Key Features:

1. Repetition: Maintenance rehearsal relies on the repeated exposure and recitation of the information.

2. Shallow Processing: It involves shallow encoding of information, focusing only on its superficial characteristics rather than its meaning or deeper understanding.

3. Short-Term Memory: Maintenance rehearsal is effective in retaining information within the working or short-term memory for a limited duration.

4. Fragile Retention: While maintenance rehearsal can temporarily preserve information, it does not promote long-term retention or deeper comprehension.

Example:

Imagine a student studying for a history exam. They repeatedly read through their notes, reread textbook passages, and verbally recite important dates and events. This process of continuously rehearsing the information constitutes maintenance rehearsal. By doing so, the student aims to keep the historical facts active in their working memory until the exam day.