In the world where the time is the most valuable resource, more and more people get used to listening to podcasts, audiobooks or training videos at accelerated speed. This practice is especially actively used. But does it really help to absorb information better, or, conversely, harm memory and concentration? The answer to this question was tried to give scientists from Canada and the US.
What are the advantages?
Quick playback is convenient. It allows you to make it more than the same time or review the material again. For students, this can mean additional hours for practice or preparation. Moreover, listening at a pace of 1.5x even helps to focus better - there is no time to distract.
But there is also the downside
The human brain works with new information in several stages: first it "encodes it", then stores, and subsequently reproduces. And it is in the first stage - when we try to understand the meaning of the heard - there are difficulties at high speed. After all, the load on work memory increases sharply.
Our brain can technically take up to 450 words per minute (twice as much as a normal speech speed). But if the information comes too quickly, some of it does not have time to undergo a full processing - and simply "disappears".
What do research say
The recent meta -analysis has covered 24 experiments that compared the perception of the educational video at different speeds. The results are:
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At a speed of 1.25x or 1.5x - the level of assimilation is almost unchanged.
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At a speed of 2x - decreases noticeably.
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At 2.5x - up to 17% of information is lost.
That is, easy acceleration is quite acceptable, but provided that the listener does not lose pleasure from the process.
Age matters
Particularly interesting is the observation: older people cope with rapid content worse. In the age group 61-94 years, the deterioration of results at accelerated speeds was noticeably stronger than in the 18-36 group. This is probably due to a decrease in cognitive functions, including RAM.
What about long -term influence?
Scientists cannot yet say whether high speed training can reduce negative effects. There is an assumption that getting used to a rapid pace can even train cognitive endurance. But does it lead to an increase in mental fatigue - the question is open.
And, after all, pleasure
Studies also show that even if memory does not suffer at a speed of 1.5x, people may simply not like it. Reducing the pleasure of the process reduces motivation, and this directly affects the quality of learning.
So while scientists continue their research, the best advice is to listen to themselves. If the pace does not harm the absorption or your comfort, use it. But if the speed turns training into stress, it is possible to slow down.
