Cogprints

Locating Working Memory in Word Free Recall and Estimating its Capacity at Less Than 3.1 +/- 0.2 Words

Tarnow, Dr. Eugen (2014) Locating Working Memory in Word Free Recall and Estimating its Capacity at Less Than 3.1 +/- 0.2 Words. (Unpublished)

Full text available as:

[img]
Preview
 PDF
297Kb

Abstract

The evidence for limited capacity is strong yet there is a controversy as to whether this limited capacity can be seen in word free recall data. After five decades since the first word free recall experiments, I present clear direct evidence for a dual store model in word free recall. I show that there is a discontinuity in the item probability during the first recall, the recall that is the most likely to originate in working memory. This discontinuity indicates a separation between the items that are initially in working memory and the items which are retrieved from elsewhere at a later time, presumably via an association with one or more working memory items. The items that are not initially in working memory are those that are the least likely to be recalled overall. Assuming that the first recall is an accurate statistical representation of working memory, and that the probability of an item in working memory cannot exceed the overall probability of recalling that item, I arrive at an upper limit on the working memory capacity of 3.1 +/- 0.2 words.

Item Type:Other
Keywords:recall; working memory; short term memory; memory search
Subjects:Psychology > Cognitive Psychology
ID Code:9775
Deposited By: Tarnow, Dr. Eugen
Deposited On:24 Mar 2016 19:11
Last Modified:24 Mar 2016 19:11

References in Article

Select the SEEK icon to attempt to find the referenced article. If it does not appear to be in cogprints you will be forwarded to the paracite service. Poorly formated references will probably not work.

Anderson, D. E., Vogel, E. K., & Awh, E. (2011). Precision in visual working memory reaches a stable plateau when individual item limits are exceeded. The Journal of neuroscience, 31(3), 1128-1138.

Atkinson, R. C., & Shiffrin, R. M. (1968). Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes. The psychology of learning and motivation, 2, 89-195.

Baddeley, A. (2012). Working memory: theories, models, and controversies. Annual review of psychology, 63, 1-29.

Balakrishnanl, J. D., & Ashby, F. G. (1992). Subitizing: Magical numbers or mere superstition?. Psychological research, 54(2), 80-90.

Bays, P. M., & Husain, M. (2008). Dynamic shifts of limited working memory resources in human vision. Science, 321(5890), 851-854.

Bays, P. M., Catalao, R. F., & Husain, M. (2009). The precision of visual working memory is set by allocation of a shared resource. Journal of Vision,9(10), 7.

Chen, Z., & Cowan, N. (2009). Core verbal working-memory capacity: the limit in words retained without covert articulation. Quarterly journal of experimental psychology (2006), 62(7), 1420-1429.

Cowan, N. (2001). The magical number 4 in short-term memory: A reconsideration of mental storage capacity. Behavioral and brain sciences, 24(1), 87-114.

Hintzman D, (2011), Research Strategy in the Study of Memory: Fads, Fallacies, and the retrieval for the "‘Coordinates of Truth", Perspectives on Psychological Science 6(3) 253–271.

Laming D (1999) Testing the Idea of Distinct Storage Mechanisms in Memory, International Journal of Psychology 34, 5-6, 419-426.

McElree, B. (2006). Accessing recent events. Psychology of learning and motivation, 46, 155-200.

Murdock Jr, B. B. (1960). The immediate retention of unrelated words. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 60(4), 222.

Murdock Jr, B. B. (1962). The serial position effect of free recall. Journal of experimental psychology, 64(5), 482.

Murdock, B. B. (1974). Human memory: Theory and data. Lawrence Erlbaum.

Tarnow, E. (2010). Why The Atkinson-Shiffrin Model Was Wrong From The Beginning. WebmedCentral NEUROLOGY 2010;1(10):WMC001021

Tarnow E (2013) Have we been looking at the wrong curve? Submitted for publication.

Tarnow E (2014) Free Recall Retrieval Process Creates Errors in Short Term Memory but Not in Long Term Memory; Indicates Breaking Down of Store Model. Submitted for publication.

Metadata

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Cogprints is powered by EPrints 3 which is developed by the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. More information and software credits.