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technique
Desirable Difficulties
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▲ 1 active in the last 90 days
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Last discussed Aug 3, 2026
A learning science technique coined by psychologist Robert Bjork describing strategies that make learning harder in the short term but produce stronger, more flexible long-term retention.
Recently discussed in
You Don't Want Autonomy With David Epstein
David Epstein · Aug 3, 2026
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DE
David Epstein
recommends
Used for: Improving learning retention and flexibility; applies to studying, parenting, and skill acquisition
Praised: Makes learning stickier and more transferable; pre-testing primes the brain; ...
vs: Contrasted with blocked practice and standard study methods which feel easier...
"Desirable difficulties — things that make learning more difficult and often more frustrating but make it stickier and more flexible in the long term. Things like tests — we think of tests as only for evaluation but in fact before you even study so..."
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