Jacobs

Page 1

Jacobs 1887

Aim: To look at the capacity of the STM

Method:

Presented with a string of letters or digits

Repeat them back in the same order

Number of characters increased until failure to recall

Results: Usually recalled around 9 digits and seven letters. Capacity increased with age

Conclusion: STM has limited capacity of 5-9 items, STM increases with age (Perhaps an increase of capacity, or better techniques eg chunking). Only ten different digits whereas 26 different letters to remmeber

Evaluation : Artificial therefore lacks ecological validity. PAst sequences would probably have confused them in future trials.

New Page