Memory 1st studied experimentally by Hermann Ebbinghaus

Modal model

Sperling’s Study Demo

Short-term memory Properties of STM Capacity Duration/Forgetting N. R. Brown, U of Alberta Short-term memory Properties of STM Capacity Duration/Forgetting Retrieval Psyco 350

Measuring STM Capacity: Digit-Span Task N. R. Brown, U of Alberta Measuring STM Capacity: Digit-Span Task Digit Span Defined: # of digits accurately recalled 50% of the time Standard Span: 7±2 digits Modal Model Interpretation (Miller, 1956): STM Capacity: ≈ 7 “chunks” Psyco 350

Long-Term Memory Coding, capacity, duration Types of LTM

Modal model can explain Ebbinghaus’ serial position curve

5) Forgetting: Decay versus interference Problems: 1) Capacity issue 2) Only auditory? 3) Repetition=memory? -mnemonics -flashbulb and incidental memories 4) Circular reasoning 5) Forgetting: Decay versus interference

Alternative to modal model: Depth of Processing Physical: Is the word written in capital letters? 15% Phonemic: Does the word rhyme with BLUE? 50% Semantic: Would the word fit this sentence: “I saw a _____ in a pond” 90%

1. Principle of Encoding Specificity Other factors besides processing depth that influence memory: 1. Principle of Encoding Specificity -situation-specific learning -state-specific learning 2. Self-referential memories 3. Rehearsal distribution