Duration - Memory

Question 1

What is STM duration?

Answer 1

10 - 33 seconds

Question 2

What is LTM duration?

Answer 2

A lifetime

Question 3

What was the aim of Peterson and Peterson’s study in Duration in STM?

Answer 3

Aim was to see the duration of STM and how long before the memory trace disappears

Question 4

Explain the process of Peterson and Peterson’s study in Duration in STM?

Answer 4

• There were 24 students and the experimenter said a nonsense triagram e.g WRT + a 3 digit number.
• The participant had to count back in 3s or 4s from this number until told to stop and then they were asked to recall the triagram.
• The time spent counting backwards (retention interval) was different in each trial.

Question 5

What were the results of Peterson and Peterson’s study in Duration in STM?

Answer 5

Participants remembered more words when they had a shorter retention interval, e.g 3 seconds retention interval and 90% accuracy. Therefore STM has a short duration unless rehearsed.

Question 6

What was the aim of Bahrick et al’s study in Duration in LTM?

Answer 6

Stated that things that are personally important are more likely to be remembered. He wanted to compare visual LTM and verbal LTM.

Question 7

Explain the process of Bahrick et al’s study in Duration in LTM.

Answer 7

There were 3 recall tests:
1. free recall of the names in your graduating class
2. high school photo recognition test.
3. a name recognition test.

Question 8

What were the results of Bahrick et al’s study in Duration in LTM?

Answer 8

Participants who were tested within 15 years of graduation had a 90% accuracy in recalling names and faces but after 48 years of graduation this accuracy went down to 80% for name recall. Free recall was at 60% after 15 years and after 48 years it dropped to 30%