Peterson and Peterson (1959)

Question 1

When did this study take place?

Answer 1

1959

Question 2

What was the aim of this study?

Answer 2

To test true duration of STM

Question 3

What procedures were used? What happened in the first condition? The second?

Answer 3

1. 24 ppts
2. 1st condition:
   - repeated a trigram then immediately after, counted backwards from a 3 digit number read to them by the experimenter in 3s or 4s

• red light signal - recalled trigram at time delays of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 seconds
• Repeated 48 times in total with different trigrams

3. Second condition:
   - Same tasks but given time to rehearse trigram before counting backwards.

Question 4

What were the results of this study?

Answer 4

1. Longer they counted, the less able they were to accurately recall trigram.
2. Counting for 3 seconds = 80% accurate recall
3. Counting for 18 seconds = less than 10% accurate recall.
4. Recall better in the second condition, but still worse after counting for longer.

Question 5

What conclusion can be drawn from this study?

Answer 5

When unable to rehearse trigrams, info held in STM fades rapidly.

Question 6

What are 2 main strengths of this study?

Answer 6

1. Standardized procedure and experimental
   - Factors affecting recall were eliminated.
   - Can be replicated = reliability of findings can be checked.
2. Has practical applications.
   - Demonstrates effect of verbal distractions on ability to retain info

Question 7

What is the main weakness of this study?

Answer 7

Lacks mundane realism - not a realistic representation of how our memory is used in everyday situations.