STM: Duration - Peterson and Peterson 1959 Flashcards
What was the study done by Peterson and Peterson in 1959?
The Trigram Retention experiment.
How many students were used in the Trigram Retention experiment carried out by Peterson and Peterson in 1959?
24 students.
Each participant in the Trigram retention experiment was tested over how many trials?
8.
On each trial, what was a participant given in the trigram retention experiment carried out by Peterson and Peterson in 1959?
A consonant syllable and a three-digit number.
What is to note about when the Trigram Retention experiment was carried out?
It is really old.
What is an example of a trigram given?
THX 512
What was asked of the participants in the trigram retention experiment in 1959 carried out by Peterson and Peterson?
To recall the consonant syllable after a retention interval of 3,6,9,12,15 or 18 seconds.
During this retention interval they had to count backwards from their three-digit number.
What does the number task act as?
A distraction task to prevent reversal.
On average, participants were how accurate with a 3 second distraction?
90%
On average, participants were how accurate after 18 seconds?
2%
What do the findings suggest?
That the STM has a very short duration - less than 18 seconds - as long as verbal rehearsal is prevented.
