Properties of the Short Term Memory Structure

Abstract

Properties of a short term memory structure are discovered in the data of Rubin, Hinton and Wenzel (1999): Cued-recall probability and search time are linearly related from 6 seconds to 666 seconds after stimulus presentation with a zero probability of cued-recall at 2.6 seconds and a 100% recall probability at 1.3 seconds. This linear relationship defines a short term memory structure which is a moving structure: the memory structure travels away from the starting point of the search (suggesting that the starting points of the search and storage are the same), decaying with a rate proportional to the time it takes to find the structure. The travel speed is slower than Brownian motion. The incorrect recall time saturates, giving an upper limit for the number of neurons involved in the short term memory structure of 3*108 using an interneuron transfer time or 4 msecs or 3*106 using an neuron-neuron transfer time of 20msecs.

Available Versions of this Item

• Properties of the Short Term Memory Structure. (deposited 02 May 2005) [Currently Displayed]
  • The Short Term Memory Structure In State-Of-The Art Recall/Recognition Experiments of Rubin, Hinton and Wentzel. (deposited 06 Jan 2006)
    • Response probability and latency: a straight line, an operational definition of meaning and the structure of short term memory. (deposited 19 Jan 2007)