Decay Theory of Immediate Memory - Article Example

Some tests of the decay theory of immediate memory Goal of the article The main concept as presented in this article is based on the hypothesis that the decay of the memory trace being a major cause for forgetting is always unpopular. In this, the study sought to determine the reasons for the unpopularity by criticizing the same and putting forth a theory of memory span. Considered from the field of cognitive psychology, this study mainly sought to determine the effect of the decay theory on the immediate memory of individuals based on the performance of a series of experiments. Precisely, this study entailed three experiments that tested the hypothesis on the basis of presentation of two stimuli, required stimuli and additional stimuli, based on the responses given of the experiments (Brown, 1959). The researcher in this study notes that the operation of the actual immediate memory is usually different from that of the conventional memory that is provided in the memory tests. However, the study also notes that any theory that relates to forgetting in immediate memory should always take into account the memory span for it to be considered acceptable. As such, this study outlines a theory of memory span that is based on the trace-decay hypothesis. Cognitive psychology terms 1. Immediate memory: In cognitive psychology, this term refers to an aspect in which manipulation and maintenance of information that is currently in a person’s consciousness is allowed. Immediate memory is the main purpose of executive attention. The term is used in relation to the concern that is given to memory that is recalled after a few seconds, with the presentation of an object once. As such, the study records that as the basic hypothesis of the decay theory, when something is established a memory trace is established upon which a rapid decay develops in the early stages; thus, allowing for recall of the same. The loss of information from an immediate memory would mostly result from the negative influence that the presentation of a new information would have on the already stored information. 2. Memory trace: In psychology, trace results from the physical and biochemical changes occur as a result of the reaction in the nervous system. In an ideal sense, the act of forgetting information in the short term memory is based on the assumption that traces will be left of memory in the brain. Therefore, memory trace, which is better explained by the trace decay theory, assumes that forgetting a stored piece of information is as a result of the fading or automatic decay of the memory. In this study, the term is used to classify the limited time duration of the short term memory (Brown, 1959). 3. Memory span: This is the length in time that information can be immediately recalled by an individual. As such, it entails the longest string of information available in a person’s mind that has been recently presented. However, as is noted in this article, the span of time taken to recall a piece of information may be dependent on the reliability of the recall, which also takes into consideration the decay theory of the immediate memory. As such, the memory span will be determined by the decay of trace which should not proceed beyond its critical level. The memory span, therefore, is essential in the determination of immediate memory being that the longer the passage of time, the sooner the decay will set in thus, loss of information. Description of the dependent variables The decay of the immediate memory trace is the dependent variable in this study. Operationally, this variable refers to the extent by which memory of already stored information may be affected by the trace and delay effects of the nervous system of an individual. The study links the sequence of the presentation of the items, and the interval of time taken to perceive an item in the memory and attempt to recall it to the length of the sequence. As such, an excess of the sequence beyond a particular length of time (memory span) will lead to the delay of the memory traces to proceed too far thus, making accurate recall of such become extremely difficult (Brown, 1959). Description of the independent variable The length of recall of the sequences that are presented to the participants is the independent variable. In measuring this variable, the retention interval was compared to a preset length against which it should not exceed. Recall period is also supplemented by the application of stimuli as a variable to bridge the gap between any positions thus, prevent instances of rehearsal. Through the conduct of descriptive statistics, frequencies are determined which includes percentages of the recall as well as the variance analysis of each score was analyzed so as to determine the significance of each variable. The experiments also involved conducting t-tests for the stimuli effects on the recall variable. Description of the experiment The experiment in this study was conducted in two main forms. In the first experiment, the procedure applied involved trials with two stimuli sets presented in immediate succession to the participants. The achieved stimuli were recorded in a paper strip. This first experiment had two conditions with the second condition being a control condition that had the additional stimuli omitted. In the second experiment, two further deductions were performed to determine the decay of the trace hypothesis and the effect of the additional stimuli. The participants were asked to just make responses to the recall of the needed stimuli. In this experiment, the first concern is in relation to the similarity effect between the additional and required stimuli while the second concern is in relation to the additional stimuli effect as presented immediately before the required stimuli (Brown, 1959). Main effects and interactions There are two main effects in this study, and both relate to the stimuli employed in the determination of the decay of memory hypothesis. The first interaction effect is in relation to the similarity effect noted between the required stimuli and the additional stimuli while the second effect is that between the additional stimuli effect and the immediately presented stimuli before the required stimuli is recorded. In this case, the stimuli that is presented in the second case i.e. immediately before the required stimuli has a little effect on the trace decay recall process of the hypothesis as presented above (Brown, 1959). The conduct of the t-tests was done through the use of the residual variances obtained after the analysis. The engagement of the two stimuli (additional and required) appeared to confirm the engagements from the trace decay hypothesis. To this manner, the expectation was that any similarity effect would lead to the confusion indicated in the recall process of the memory. To show that clarity in the effects recorded in the two experiments, a third experiment was conducted in which if the interval between additional and required stimuli before the recall were to be intervened, the participants would likely rehearse the stimuli during the interval. Steps or Conclusions suggested The discussions presented in the various experiments indicate that they well fit with the rapid decay of recall memory trace hypothesis. As a concluding statement, the study’s researchers noted that the merit of the decay hypothesis was in its simplicity and ability to explain results devoid of the arbitrary supplementary suppositions. Subsequently, in relation to the forgetting of items in the immediate memory, the study notes that any theory in this regard if acceptable should be ensured to have taken into account the memory spans. This is as outlined in the introductory part of the study in which a memory span theory was introduced (Brown, 1959). However, the researcher also manages to subjectively reason out that not only does the main problem become an existence of a mere limit to what a subject can fully recall in a single presentation, but, also that the limit is based on a number of items that are disconnected, and not on the content of the information. Consequently, the researchers also sought to provide answers to whether the issue of memory trace decay could be solved. In regard to this, the study noted that the assumption of the partial decay of the memory trace should be compatible with the reliable recall since the item may be adequately specified in the trace, even though it might have lost some of its initial features. The redundancy of the trace in the initial features, and the information content of the item should be inversely related (Brown, 1959). Use of sequences In the experiment, there is the use of sequences such as ND – National Debt – that is noted to have led to a percent recall of 59%. As such, the use of similar series such as JOE, CAT or RIT would not achieve greater relationship between the correct recall percentage and the number of distraction seconds caused by these series of words. As such, it would be fit to compare this to the results obtained in the case of Brown. Reducing forgetting from short term memory There are many simpler ways by which a person can reduce the forgetting from short term memory. The basic way to prevent short term memory loss is to live a healthy life. Consequently, one can conduct mental and physical exercises that would help boost the brain power of the individual and prevent loss of memory. Mental exercises may include brain games and puzzles that help it keep it strong. Subsequently, memory loss may be prevented by not having to panic as stress greatly affects memory retention (Brown, 1959). References Brown, J. (1959). Some tests of the decay theory of immediate memory. Quarterly journal of experimental psychology,10,12-21 Read More