According to the findings of a new study, learning by repetition can hamper recalling abilities.

Practice does make perfect but it may not always be the best way to achieve it. At least that's what the findings of a new study suggest. According to researchers from the University of California - Irvine, learning by repetition can boost the factual content of memories but makes it difficult to recall intricate details of the content.

For the study, a group of participants were made to look at pictures either once or three times. After this, they were tested on how well they could remember those pictures. Researchers found that participants were able to recall factual content of the pictures better when they had seen them only once. However, multiple viewing faded their memory and they could not distinguish them from similar pictures. This suggests that multiple viewing hinders a person's ability to remember minute details of a memory, say the authors.

Explaining this phenomenon, researchers said that repetition makes details of a memory more subjective, driving them to compete with similar memories. Repetition may also lead to the development of false memories, the researchers said. They also clarified that the findings of this study don't discourage the practice of repetitive learning.

"Pure repetition alone has limitations. For a more enriching and lasting learning experience through which nuance and detail are readily recalled, other mnemonic techniques should be used to complement repetition," lead author Michael Yassa said in a press statement.

Though rote memorization is not a bad thing, it is always advisable to use other memory methods, like creating strong visual images - or word associations - of things you're trying to remember, the study suggests.

Findings were published online in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging and the National Science Foundation Division of Graduate Education.