Multi store memory model studies Flashcards
(22 cards)
What was the aim of Glanzer and Cunitz’s study?
To investigate if the time-interval between words on a list would increase the number of words recalled at the start of the list.
What year was Glanzer and Cunitz’s study?
1966
Glanzer and Cunitz: Who were the participants?
240 Army enlisted men
Glanzer and Cunitz: What was the research design?
Independent samples design
Glanzer and Cunitz:
What were the two IVs?
Time interval between words (3,6,9 secs).
Repeat of words (once or twice).
Glanzer and Cunitz:
What was the recall task?
After each 20-word list, participants had 2 minutes to write down as many words as they could.
How did the time interval between words affect recall?
Longer intervals = improved recall, except those at the end of the list (primacy effect).
What is primacy effect?
When individuals tend to remember items at the start of a list better.
Why does primacy effect occur in this study?
Because ppants are able to rehearse the words. More time interval allowed for more rehearsal.
What are the strengths of Glanzer and Cunitz?
- Controlled setting -> increases internal validity.
- Findings support multi-store memory model
- Large sample size
What are the weaknesses of Glanzer and Cunitz?
- Limited generalizability, sample only army men.
- Artificial task of memorising one syllable words -> low ecological validity
What was the aim of HM Milner?
To better understand the effects of the surgery on HM
What type of study was HM: Milner?
Longitudinal case study
What happened to HM?
William Scoville performed a lobotomy on him to treat his epileptic seizures.
What was HM’s memory like?
He couldn’t remember past events (retrograde amnesia) and he couldn’t form new memories (anterograde).
What was the aim of the HM Milner case study?
To better understand the effects that the surgery had on patient HM.
What were some of the different methods Milner used to study HM?
She used:
- Psychometric testing (IQ)
- Direct observations of his behaviour
- Interviews
- Cognitive tests
- MRI scan
What types of memory could HM not acquire?
- Episodic knowledge (memory for events)
- Semantic knowledge (general world knowledge)
- He lost long-term memory.
What memory did HM have?
Working memory
Motor skills (procedural memory)
How does “HM: Milner” support the multi-store memory model?
Shows that we have two distinctly separate “stores” of memory = short-term and long-term store.
What were the strengths of HM Milner?
- Method triangulation increased credibility and validity of findings.
- High ecological validity -> no manipulated variables.
What were the limitations of HM Milner?
- Cannot be easily replicated.
- Some aspects of the study were retrospective, we don’t know HM’s cognitive abilities before the lobotomy.
