The aim of the experiment is to investigate (a) whether level of processing (IV1) affects memory for words, (b) whether the intention to learn (IV2) has an effect upon memory and whether an effect of level of processing on memory for words is dependent upon intentionality of learning (IV1xIV2), i.e. Is there an interaction effect?
Levels of Processing is an influential theory of memory proposed by Craik and Lockhart (1972) which rejected the idea of the dual store model of memory. This popular model postulated that characteristics of a memory are determined by it's "location" (ie, fragile memory trace in short term store [STS] and a more durable memory trace in the long term store [LTS]. Instead, Craik and Lockhart proposed that information could be processed in a number of different ways and the durability or strength of the memory trace was a direct function of the depth of processing involved. Moreover, depth of processing was postulated to fall on a shallow to deep continuum.
Shallow processing (e.g., processing words based on their phonemic and orthographic components) leads to a fragile memory trace that is susceptible to rapid forgetting. On the other had, deep processing (e.g., semantic or meaning based processing) results in a more durable memory trace.
Craik & Tulving conducted numerous experiments exploring he levels of processing. They concluded that deeper processing le to better memory. However, it could be that deep encoding tasks led to better memory simply because participants spend more time on encoding for them than for shallow task. Craik and Tulving explored this possibility by a more complex, factorial experiment in which two variables where manipulated: levels of processing and intentional learning.
DV/IV and Operational definitions
Our investigation employs a similar factorial design in which two variables are manipulated: the levels of processing and the intentional learning. The dependent