The Self-Generation Effect is a cognitive phenomenon where individuals recall and comprehend information they create themselves more effectively than content provided by others. In online communities, this bias encourages members to engage more deeply when they actively contribute to discussions, create posts, or share personal insights. Self-generated content becomes a powerful tool for learning and retention.
Community managers can harness this effect by encouraging members to craft their own responses, initiate discussions, or co-create content. This approach not only boosts individual engagement but also strengthens the community’s collective knowledge base.
In a coding forum, users who write and debug their own examples are more likely to retain the solution than those who rely on pre-written tutorials. By promoting hands-on problem-solving threads, moderators can enhance both engagement and knowledge retention.