Hi
Jeff seems determined to flush us cognitive psychologists out of
the woodwork ...
On Fri, 2 Apr 1999 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> >I have become aware through reading a book by Alan Baddeley (1993; _Your
> >memory: A user's guide_. London: Prion) that the common view that ST memory
> >holds about 7 items of information is not correct. Research on the related
> >concept of working memory suggests that it is the amount of information that
> >one can repeat subvocally (when the info to be remembered is verbal) in about
> >1.5 seconds that tends to be recalled from working memory. Often, the word
There are a number of phenomena consistent with the observations
described by Jeff (word length and articulatory suppression
effects). One is a robust individual differences correlation
between pronunciation speed and size of STM. That is, people who
can pronounce words quickly have larger STMs than those who
pronounce words more slowly. I can find the reference at the
office in the next few days if anyone is interested. I use a
compelling plot of mean STM for people varying in pronunciation
speed (partly as a function of developmental age).
As to whether this violates 7 +/- 2, one needs to be somewhat
cautious because the principle is stated in terms of _chunks_ of
information (hence, multi-syllable words might constitute more
chunks, if a chunk is a pronounceable unit), and the principle
does allow for some variation across even adult participants.
Admittedly it does seem to rely on a capacity view in which there
are a set number of slots in STM, which might be viewed as
incompatible with the idea that the number of chunks is
determined by how quickly they can be reactivated before
decaying or being otherwise reduced in strength.
Now, will Jeff leave me alone to enjoy the end of our term?
Best wishes
Jim
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James M. Clark (204) 786-9313
Department of Psychology (204) 774-4134 Fax
University of Winnipeg 4L02A
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CANADA http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/~clark
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