Semantic Organization Pt 1 Flashcards
(19 cards)
Why do we need semantic organization?
Organization allows us to find stuff (goal-direct info from LTM) easier
Bower – Hierarchies
Two groups of participants saw 4 hierarchies with 28 words each and were asked to recall as many words as possible:
1. Organized Hierarchy of words
2. Random Hierarchy of words
Results of Bower – Hierarchies
When you provide people with hierarchies they are remembering info much better!
1. Organized Condition recalled much more words
2. Random Condition slowly increased in the # of words remembered
Implications of Bower – Hierarchies
Hierarchal organization, based on meaning, assists in our ability to retrieve info from LTM
– AKA hierarchies help with info retrieval!
Bower et al – Experiment 2
Participants studied paired associates and tried to remember as many words for later in two conditions:
1. Semantically related links (ie Sun-Butterfly-Yellow)
2. Randomly related links (ie Cat-Bread-Yellow)
Results of Bower et al – Experiment 2
They found that word links that were semantically related were better remembered than randomly related
(However semantically hierarchical organization is the best at retrieval fluency!)
What is a Semantic Network?
An organization of semantic info in LTM through linking concepts to related concepts
- consist of nodes (concepts) joined together by pathways that link related concepts
(Can explain why thinking about one word can make a closely related word easier to remember)
What is the difference between a semantic network and hierarchal organization?
Semantic networks do not need to be a top-down organization. The only requirement is that the concepts relate!
What are the two models of evidence for semantic networks?
- Feature Comparison Model
- Hierarchical Network Model
What is the Feature Comparison Model?
A model proposing that items are categorized by matching the item’s features to category features
What is the Hierarchical Network Model?
A model proposing that items are categorized by using the hierarchical relations specified in a semantic network
What are some ways to test semantic organization?
- We could ask them directly
- We can look at the order of their recall
- We can measure response times
What are the pros to the Hierarchical Network Model?
This model is efficient, as you do not need to store memory codes for features multiple times (you can understand that the bottom concepts include the features linked above it)
What are the cons to the Hierarchical Network Model?
This model can be costly if the feature you need is higher up on the hierarchy
Collins & Quillian
Presented a series of True/False questions and measured response times
1. Set Questions - Asks whether one category is a member of another
2. Property - Asks about the features of a category member
Results of Collins & Quillian
- It takes time to move or retrieve features from one level in the hierarchy to another
- There is facilitation when the previous question required retrieval of similar info or is at the same level
Problems with Collins & Quillian
- We can observe instances where reaction times do not follow the proposed patterns (some deviations)
- Does not account for the Typicality Effect (model states that same level = same response time)
What are the components of the Feature Comparison Model?
Classifications are made by comparing features rather than by examining links in a network
1. Defining Feature (a feature that is NECESSARY to be a member of that category)
- Characteristic Feature (a feature that is usually present in members of that category, but is NOT necessary)
Stages of the Feature Comparison Model
- Compare all the features of the two concepts to determine how similar one concept is to the other (how much overlap)
- Compare the defining features only (determine if the example has the necessary features)
