What is the process of relating new information to what has previously been learned?

The process of relating new information to what has previously been learned is known as elaboration. This involves making connections between new knowledge and existing cognitive structures, which enhances understanding and retention. During elaboration, learners actively engage with the material by integrating it with prior knowledge, thereby creating a more meaningful context for the new information.

Through this technique, learners can create mental links and associations that facilitate recall and application of the new material. For example, when someone learns a new concept in physics, they might relate it to a previous lesson on motion, thus deepening their comprehension and making it easier to retrieve that information later.

This contrasts with other processes such as association, which primarily focuses on linking two concepts without necessarily involving prior knowledge, or reinforcement, which deals with increasing the likelihood of a behavior through rewards or consequences. Reflection involves thinking back on one's experiences and learning but does not specifically address the integration of new information with previous knowledge in the way that elaboration does.