Levels of Processing

Levels of Processing

1. Craik and Lockhart 1972

2. AIM: To explain why some things are better remembered than others.

3. Craik 1973- defined depth of processing as the amount of meaning extracted from information

4. Memory is processed either deeply or shallowly

   • How well a piece of information is remembered depends on how it is processed

5. They suggested 3 level at which information is processed

   • Structurally: what things look like
   • Phonetically: how they sound
   • Semantically: the meaning
     • Semantic has deepest level of processing- requires the most cognitive work which results in the best recall

6. Memory is a by-product of information processing

7. They proposed that there was two types of rehearsal

   • Type 1 or Maintenance Rehearsal: rehearsing information to recall it for a short amount of time.
   • Type 2 or Elaborative Rehearsal: involves deep consideration of the information

8. Evaluation

   • Strengths
     • LOP explains difference in memory durability by referring to depth of processing
     • Brain scanning studies show semantically processed words require more brain activity. Extra activity= deeper processing
     • Craik and Tulving's experiment is evidence that material processed for meaning is better remembered
     • Hyde and Jenkins- when words judged on pleasentness, processing the words meaning lead to increased memorability
     • Wide application: enhance learning and revision. Practical application in students- semantically processed info is recalled better, can lead to better results in exams.
   • Weaknesses
     • The effect of LOP on recall doesn't hold true under all conditions
     • Doesn't account for all learning. Imagery and Emotionality can also leave long lasting memories
     • Only used to explain improved recall in explicit memory- doesn't really affect recall from implicit
     • Morris et al- found phonetically processed words were better recalled
     • Reber et al- emotional content of words affected recall
     • Criticised for being descriptive rather that explanatory. Explaining how memory works and referring to depth is circular logic
     • Many variables determine whether a durable memory is achieved, thus difficult to establish what is meant bydepth of processing in a single given insinstance