Memory- Capacity And Duration

Question 1

What is capacity?

Answer 1

Measure of how much can be stored.

Question 2

What was the aim of Jacob’s digit span study?

Answer 2

Used to assess the capacity of STM.

Question 3

What was the method of Jacob’s digit span study?

Answer 3

Ptpts given 4 digits to recall aloud in the correct order.
If correct, given 5 and so on until they’re unable to recall.
Determines individuals digit span.

Question 4

What were the findings of Jacob’s digit span study?

Answer 4

Found that mean span for digits was 9.3, and 7.3 for letters.

Question 5

What are 2 weaknesses of Jacob’s research into capacity?

Answer 5

Lacks validity- long time ago.
Would’ve lacked control of extraneous variables.
Low temporal validity.

Artificial task.
No meaningful information to the ptpts. Doesn’t replicate daily life and how people use their memory.
Low ecological validity.

Question 6

What is the method of Bahricks research into duration of LTM?

Answer 6

Ptpts- 392 American ex-high school students aged 17-74.
Recall tested in 4 ways:
1. Free recall of names of former classmates
2. Photo recognition, identification from 50 pics
3. Name recognition test
4. Name and photo matching test

Question 7

What are the findings of Bahricks research into duration of LTM?

Answer 7

Tested within 15 years- 90% accurate.
48 years- declined to 70%.

Question 8

What is a strength of Bahricks research into duration of LTM?

Answer 8

Real life application.
Remembering faces/ names is a true reflection of how memory is used daily.
High ecological validity

Question 9

What is a weakness of Bahricks research into duration of LTM?

Answer 9

Extraneous variables not controlled.
Ptpts may frequently look back at their yearbook, rehearsal practised.
Low internal validity