In preparation for writing an opinion piece, i am seeking studies that would evaluate the impact (good or bad) of mandatory memorization in schooling, at any level (from multiplication tables, all the way to case law and surgical technique).
I am most especially curious regarding self esteem, and outcomes. So far I have empirical evidence that 1) mandatory memorization is widespread, a requirement in almost every field, with few or no alternatives available to students or teachers. 2) that those struggling find themselves often the victims of emotional abuse. 3) that many, if not most of the material “that must be learned by heart” have none or very limited value, besides a minor and meaningless sense of achievement. 4) that a case could be made for developing memorization abilities, as a useful skill, even for character building when done in a healthy and respectful way, but this is almost never the goal, method, or the expectation of teachers, who focus on the absorption of “facts” related to their discipline or subject as central to the evaluation of success in learning. (and then fail, continuously “lowering standards,” but that’s a different story)
Can anyone point me in the right direction? studies, papers, maybe even blogs. Best would be something done scientifically, for example an evaluation of the opinion of students regarding memorization requirements. Assessment of self esteem, correlated with a person’s perceived ability to memorize. Educators removing memorization requirements because “it’s not working.” Alternatives to requiring mandatory memorization of school material. Etc.
(a brief search of the internet gave me some of the most promising leads as coming from this forum - but nothing very direct. It’s a complex subject to explore, I still have to learn and remember 
the language used for these matters)
Thank you!