Duration Flashcards
Define duration
the length of time that information can be held in memory.
How did Sterling study the duration of the sensory register in 1960?
1.) showed participants a grid containing 3 rows of 4 letters for 50 milliseconds (0.05 seconds).
2.) they then had to immediately recall either the entire grid or just randomly chosen row.
What were the results of Sterling’s study?
recall was poorer when asked to recall the whole grid compared to just a row.
What conclusions could be made from the results of Sterling’s study?
the suggested duration of the sensory register is less than half a second.
How did Peterson and Peterson study the duration of short term memory?
1.) 24 students in 8 trials.
2.) consonant syllables such as YCG used in each trial.
3.) students were then given a 3 digit number to count backwards from for varying periods of time.
4.) they were then asked to recall the letters.
What were the results of Peterson and Peterson’s study?
after 3 seconds, average recall was 80%.
after 18 seconds, average recall was 3%.
What conclusions could be made from the results of Peterson and Peterson’s study?
they concluded that STM duration may be about 18 seconds, unless we repeat information over and over.
How did Bahrick et al test duration of LTM?
392 american participants aged between 17 and 74. recall was tested from high school yearbooks.
How did Bahrick et al use photo recognition and what were the results?
50 photos, some from yearbooks.
90% accurate recall < 15 years from graduation.
70% accurate recall > 48 years from graduation.
How did Bahrick et al use free recall and what were the results?
recall all names of graduating class.
60% accurate recall < 15 years from graduation.
30% accurate recall > 48 years from graduation.
What was a strength of Bahrick et al’s research?
high ecological validity as applies to a real life situation.