Motor Model of Memory Study Notes

Motor Model of Memory

Overview of Memory Distinction

• Key feature of the motor model of memory is the distinction between short term memory (STM) and long term memory (LTM)

• Hypothesis: Short term memory and long term memory are separate and independent stores

Evidence for Memory Separation

• Major evidence comes from studies on the serial position effect

Serial Position Effect

• Discovered by researchers Murdock (1962) and Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)

• Participants learned lists of words varying in length from 10 to 40 words

• Each word was presented for 1 to 2 seconds

• Task: Remember as many of the presented words as possible at the end of each trial

• Results presented in a graph showing:
    - Horizontal axis: serial position of the word in the list
    - Vertical axis: probability of correctly recalling words

U-Shaped Function

• Results show a U-shaped curve:
    - High probability of recall for words at the beginning and end of the list
    - Lower probability of recall for words in the middle of the list

• Known as the serial position effect

Components of Serial Position Effect

• Comprised of two main effects:
    - Primacy Effect: Improved recall of words at the beginning of the list
    - Recency Effect: Improved recall of words at the end of the list

Explanation of the Primacy Effect

• Primacy effect is believed to occur because early items in the list are rehearsed more often

• More opportunities to rehearse words lead to better transfer to long term memory

• Thus, the primacy effect primarily represents the holding of information in long term memory

Explanation of the Recency Effect

• Recency effect relates to the last words in the list being held in short term memory or sensory memory

• Information not yet processed into long term memory; retained for a short duration

• Capacity of short term memory: typically around 7 items

• Recency effect is thought to rely primarily on short term memory

Summary of Recall Mechanism

• Successful recall of the beginning and end words derives from two distinct memory storages:
    - Beginning: Information held in long term memory (LTM)
    - End: Information retained in short term memory (STM)

Further Evidence for Memory Distinction

• Research by Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) examined the impact of delays on recall

• Participants were asked to recall either immediately (0 seconds), after 12 seconds, or after 32 seconds
    - Results illustrated that:
      - Primacy Effect: Remained stable across different delays
      - Recency Effect: Decreased significantly with prolonged delays
        - At 32 seconds, no complete advantage for the last words versus middle words

• Reason: Short term memory has a brief duration; information decays during prolonged recall time.

Factors Influencing Memory Effects

• Delays in Recall: Influence recency effect but not the primacy effect

• Speed of Presentation: Faster word presentation diminishes primacy effect
    - Less time for rehearsal leads to inadequate transfer of items into long term memory
    - Consequently, yields a smaller primacy effect.

Implications of Research

• Findings suggest distinct mechanisms for short term and long term memory processes

• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for educational strategies that enhance memory retention