How do experts contrast with student participants regarding the type of material they memorize?

Experts contrast with student participants primarily because they tend to focus on meaningful information that relates directly to their field of expertise. This nuanced approach allows experts to organize and integrate information more effectively, leveraging their extensive background knowledge. For example, when an expert in a specific domain encounters new material, they are more likely to link it to the concepts and schemas they already possess, facilitating better understanding and retention.

On the other hand, student participants often engage with information that is less connected and may not fully grasp the significance of the material within the broader context of their studies. This can lead to a more superficial level of encoding, which is typically devoid of the deeper understanding that comes from expertise. By concentrating on meaningful and relevant information, experts optimize their learning process, distinguishing their approach from that of students who might not yet have developed the same level of contextual knowledge.