Duration - PSYA1

Duration - PSYA1

1. DURATION

   • Peterson and Peterson
     • 24 students, 8 trials each. CONSONANT SYLABBLES. Prevent verbal rehearsal. Recall after 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 seconds (retention interval)
       • After 3 seconds - 80% After 18seconds - 3% Duration of STM= less than 18 seconds
     • Not very realistic task so lacks ecological validity
     • Actually measuring DISPLACEMENT
   • Nairne
     • Adaptation of Petersons' study. Changed material every trial so that items didn't interfere with each other. Used NOUNS instead. Had to recall in correct order.
       • Items recalled correctly after 96 seconds. STM has longer duration than originally thought.
     • More realistic task so more ecological validity.
     • Easier to remember nouns so duration depends on material used.
     • Involved recognition memory. Recognition is easier than recall which explains extended duration.
   • Bahrick
     • 400 participants aged 17-74. Tested recall of high school YEAR BOOKS in two ways: 1) Identify which of 50 photos were from year book. 2) Free recall of names.
       • Identification: 90% accurate after 15 years. 70% accurate after 48 years. Free recall: 60% accurate after 15 years.
     • Could have looked at year book before so rehearsal took place.
     • High ecological validity.