memory: individual differences - eg speed processing/schemas

Question 1

how does chunking expand the capacity of STM?

Answer 1

chunking similar information into groups increases the capacity of the STM as 10 may become 5 groups of 2

Question 2

define ‘processing speed’

Answer 2

the rate at which information is processed

Question 3

using the WMM, explain how people may experience individual differences in their memory

Answer 3

people with dyslexia have phonological loop impairments which slows down processing of words as they are unable to subvocally rehearse. therefore, their capacity of STM may be lower which decreases the ability to chunk.

Question 4

define ‘digit span’

Answer 4

the capacity of numbers that can be held in STM at one time

Question 5

define ‘schema’

Answer 5

mental units of knowledge based on previous experiences which help us to fill in gaps and form an idea of what a situation will be like