AMSCO AP Psychology – Cognitive Psychology / Cognition Practice Test

The term that describes the exponential loss of information shortly after learning it is the "forgetting curve." This concept, developed by Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 19th century, illustrates how quickly information is forgotten over time if no effort is made to retain it. The forgetting curve shows that the most significant loss of memory occurs soon after the initial learning, with the rate of forgetting slowing down over time.

The forgetting curve highlights the importance of rehearsal and review in memory retention. It also explains why information that is not regularly practiced or revisited tends to fade from memory rather rapidly. In contrast, other terms, while related to memory processes, do not encapsulate the specific relationship between time and the rate of forgetting that the forgetting curve represents.