Memory Span Capacity

Abstract The memory span experiment tested the theory that there is a short term memory system that is limited in capacity and is influenced by different processes. The memory span experiment included different stimuli, which were numeric, letters that sound different, and letters that sound the same. 10 undergraduate students recalled stimuli in the same order that was presented to them. It is hypothesized that short term memory is a limited capacity system that is influenced by verbal processes. Furthermore, participants would be able to recall items, 7±2 where number recall be more successful. From the results, this study indicates that that there is a limit to short-term memory and that verbal processes partially influence verbal processes.

Introduction Short term memory or working memory is a system that provides temporary storage and usage of the information necessary for such complex cognitive tasks as language comprehension, learning, and reasoning. The decay in memory is a cause of how the memory system is structured. To test these processes, a presentation on the role of working memory would be incomplete without an understanding of Braddely’s model. It is divided into three components: the phonological loop, the central executive, and the visual sketchpad. This model shows that the central executive controls both the phonological loop and the visuo-spatial sketchpad. They are generally referred to as slaves to the central executive. It coordinates the activity within working memory and controls the transmission of information between other parts of the cognitive system. The central executive has a limited capacity, therefore tasks that seem to deal specifically with either of the slave systems require processing by the central executive. The phonological loop’s functions include providing temporary storage of phonological information for about two seconds; refreshing material in the phonological loop as needed. The visual-spatial

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