MEM 01(b): Sensory memory

Explain the procedure and result of the 'whole report' condition of Sperling's experiment on sensory memory (4)

* 3 rows of 4 letters

* Flashed for 0.1 seconds

* Pps recalled as many as possible

* Recall = 4-5 items

Explain the procedure and result of the 'partial report' condition of Sperling's experiment on sensory memory (4)

* 3 rows of 4 letters

* Flashed for 0.1 seconds

* Pps cued by a tone to recall a specific row

* Recall = 3-4 items

Explain what this shows about the (a) duration and (b) capacity of sensory memory, and why (2)

(a) Duration is very brief as information fades before it can be recalled

(b) Capacity is larger than can be measured in the time it takes to answer

Explain why these conclusions can be drawn from Sperling's results (4)

* In the 'partial report' condition, 3-4 items can be recalled from any row...

* ...so all rows must be in sensory memory for a brief time

* But they fade too quickly to all be recalled in the 'whole report' condition

* ... i.e., by the time 4-5 items are recalled

Using an example to illustrate, identify which types of errors people typically make when recalling from iconic memory (2)

Explain what this shows about coding in sensory memory (2)

* Visual errors, i.e., things that visually resemble each other

* e.g. recalling an 'O' rather than a 'Q'

* Shows that coding in sensory memory is 'modality specific'

* i.e., coding occurs so quickly that the information remains in its original sensory form

Explain one strength and one limitation of Sperling's study of sensory memory

Strength

* Powerful procedure for identifying capacity of sensory memory

* i.e., the use of separate tests of different lines of letters to estimate total capacity

Limitation

* Ecological validity: generalisability to other stimuli

* Letters are artificial stimuli: capacity may be different for more realistic / common stimuli