2.3. Levels of processing

2.3. Levels of processing

Levels of processing was proposed by;

• CRAIK & LOCKHART

Craik & Lockhart challenged

• the assumption that simply holding items in the short-term store for long enough would guarantee learning.

Craik & Lockhart proposed

• Principle of levels of processing

principle of levels of processing maintains that

• Learning depends on the way in which material is processed

Craik & Lockhart focused on:

• Memory processes

Craik & Lockhart suggests that information can be

• processed at different levels

• from a superficial to a depth

• elaborated level

Superficial to a depth elaborated level according to Craik & Lockhart

• Visual/structural processing (focusing on stimuli´s visual aspects).

• Phonological processing (focusing on stimuli´s auditory or phonological aspects).

• Semantic processing (focusing on stimuli´s meaning).

Craik & Lockhart suggests that the way information is processed

• Affect the likelihood of it being stored & retrieved in the future.

• the more deeply an item is processed, the better will be its retention.

According to CRAIK AND LOCKHART the greater "depth" implies a greater degree of 

• semantic or cognitive analysis.

According to CRAIK & LOCKHART deeper levels of processing result in more

• long lasting & more retrievable memories

shallow levels of processing result in (CRAIK & LOCKHART)

•  memories that are less long-lasting & less likely to be retrieved

Craik & Tulving investigated the

• effects of different types of processing on the recall of words

The method Craik & Tulving applied

• Participants were shown 60 words, one at a time, & for each word they had to answer one of three questions

• (tasks that provoked different types of processing)

Example: is the word in capital letters? is an example of

• structurally processing

Example Does this word rhyme with Toy? is an example of

 Phonological process → sound based processing

Example Does this word fit in the following sentence? is an example of

• Semantic processing

• meaning of the word & relating it to the rest of the sentence

Craik & Lockhart do assume the existence of 

• separate STM & LTM systems

• they see the function of STM in terms of processes

IMPLICATIONS of  Craik & Lockhart’s

• Provided alternative to the structural approach to memory

• Explains why elaborative rehearsal is more effective than maintenance or auditory

• Emphasized how processes which occur during learning affect the extent to which material can be retrieved from LTM

Elaborative rehearsal involves

• elaboration of the material to be recalled

Elaborative rehearsal can add 

• all kinds of extra images, associations & memories

• to enrich the material which has to be learned, resulting in better recall

Key problems in the model of “levels of processing” → CRAIK & LOCKHART

• The method applied to measure depth of processing →  no independent way of assessing whether processing was deep or shallow.