Coding, Capacity and Duration of Memory

Question 1

Coding

Answer 1

Format in which info is stored in each memory store

Question 2

Baddley (coding)

Answer 2

Gave 4 groups lists to remember: acoustically similar, acoustically dissimilar, semantically similar, semantically dissimilar.
Findings: More mistakes when recalling acoustically-similar words straight after learning them. More mistakes recalling semantically similar words after 20 minutes.

Question 3

Capacity

Answer 3

Amount of info which can be kept in a memory store

Question 4

Jacobs (capacity)

Answer 4

Read out 4 digits and if correct, read out 5 and so on until you make a mistake.
Findings: digits is 9.3 and letters is 7.3.

Question 5

Miller (capacity)

Answer 5

Said that every thing comes in 7s: 7 deadly sins. So STM capacity is 7+-2. Also said chunking can help us recall info

Question 6

Duration

Answer 6

Amount of time that info can be kept in a memory store

Question 7

Peterson et al (duration)

Answer 7

Tested 24 undergraduate students. Each student had 8 trials. Each trial was given consonant syllable and 3 digit no. to count back in threes (preventing mental rehearsal). Told to stop after 3,6,9,12,18 secs.
Findings: More correct responses when retention interval was short

Question 8

Bahrick et al (duration)

Answer 8

Studied 392 participants aged between 17-74 in Ohio. High school yearbooks. Two tests: 1)photo recognition and 2)recall all the names of their graduating class

Findings: 
15 years after graduation = 90% accurate in test 1. 
48 years after = 70% accurate in test 1.
15 years after = 60% accurate in test 2.
48 years after = 30% accurate in test 2.

Question 9

Coding Capacity Duration of STM and LTM

Answer 9

STM LTM
Acoustic Semantic
7+-2 Unlimited
18-30 secs Unlimited

Question 10

Strengths

Answer 10

Bahrick et al’s 1975 study used meaningful stimuli. This suggests that the findings have high ecological
validity because they can be easily generalised to real-life, due to the stimuli reflecting those which
we would often try to learn and recall in our day to day lives: information with personal and meaningful value

Question 11

Weaknesses

Answer 11

Jacob’s study was a long time ago and early research normally lacked adequate control: got distracted. Results won’t be valid due to the confounding variables not being controlled. It was supported by others so it has validity.

Question 12

Weaknesses

Answer 12

Peterson and Peterson used artificial material. We try to remember meaningful things, not consonants. Lacked external validity.

Question 13

Weaknesses

Answer 13

Baddley used artificial material as well.

Question 14

Weaknesses

Answer 14

Miller overestimated STM capacity. Cowan said STM -was 4 chunks. This shows 5 is more appropriate than 7 or 9