Who is recognized for the theory known as the Forgetting Curve?

The Forgetting Curve is a foundational concept in educational psychology that describes the decline of memory retention over time. Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist, is recognized for developing this theory in the late 1800s. Through rigorous experimentation with nonsense syllables, Ebbinghaus illustrated how information is forgotten exponentially after it is learned unless it is consciously reviewed and reinforced. His research emphasizes the importance of repetition and rehearsal in the learning process, demonstrating that the passage of time can negatively impact memory retention if the information is not actively revisited.

Other individuals listed have made significant contributions to the field of psychology and education, but they are not associated with the Forgetting Curve concept. For instance, Albert Bandura is well-known for his social learning theory, which emphasizes observational learning, imitation, and modeling. David Berlo is notable for his communication model, and John Dewey is recognized for his progressive education philosophy. These contributions, while important, do not specifically address the mechanisms of memory retention and forgetting as Ebbinghaus’s research does. Thus, Hermann Ebbinghaus is correctly attributed to the formulation of the Forgetting Curve.