In 1972, Craik and Lockhart proposed that memory recall involves multiple processes operating at different levels.
Maintenance rehearsal involves repeatedly processing an item at the same level (Baddeley, 2009)[full citation needed], which requires little attention.
In elaborative rehearsal, the information is processed at a deeper level and has the ability to move to long-term memory.
Individuals should use other processing techniques and elaborative rehearsal to help move information from working to long-term memory.
Working memory is commonly cited as more of a process than an actual storage and is critical to the ability to maintain and manipulate information in one's mind.
[6] It is composed of two parts: a short-term store, and an articulatory rehearsal process that both work to constantly refresh subvocal memorization.
[8] In this way, it is true that the maintenance rehearsal is most beneficial with rote memorization; however, it can be used as a tool for learning particularly when paired with other modes.
[1] According to the levels-of-processing effect by Fergus I. M. Craik and Robert S. Lockhart in 1972, this type of rehearsal works best because of this depth of processing.
For instance, discussion or study groups provide an opportunity to make discrete pieces of information more personal by attaching stories to them and creating meaningful connections to things already learned.
[7] Elaborative rehearsal has strong support in learning, especially in its attention to meaningful connections across different concepts and pieces of information.
[9] In the Baddeley's model of working memory, this ability comprises a central executive and two buffers – the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketch pad.