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memory_models:a_brief_history_of_human_memory_systems [2011/06/30 12:49] jpetrovic [Early models and measures of memory] |
memory_models:a_brief_history_of_human_memory_systems [2011/08/29 12:02] jpetrovic [Early models and measures of memory] |
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===== Early models and measures of memory ===== | ===== Early models and measures of memory ===== | ||
- | Some of the first notable noted research on human memory was conducted in 1890 by **[[http://www.hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/houghton/exhibits/james/introduction.cfm|William James]]**. Based on his research, James assumed memory consists out of **two systems**: | + | Some of the first notable noted research on human memory was conducted in 1890 by **[[http://www.hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/houghton/exhibits/james/introduction.cfm|William James]]**. Based on his research, James assumed memory consists out of **two systems** (//dichotomous memory//)(([[http://books.google.hr/books?id=zp5ODdDGVW0C|Loftus, G. R., and Elizabeth F. Loftus. Human Memory: The Processing of Information. Routledge, 1976.]])): |
- | * **primary memory**, which lasts for a **few seconds** and holds **in our consciousness** the perception of events in our environment, and | + | * **primary memory**, which lasts for a **few seconds** and holds information **in our consciousness**, and |
- | *** second memory**, which has **unlimited duration** and can be **brought to consciousness** if wanted. | + | *** second memory**, which has **unlimited duration** and can be **brought to consciousness** if desired. |
- | A measure for the **capacity of short-term** (primary) memory was first introduced even a bit earlier, in 1887, by **Joseph Jacobs**, who tested the span of digits his students were able to remember. Under the criterion that at least 50% of the digits need to be remembered correctly, subjects he tested mostly remembered **about 7 digits**. What he also noticed is that this result can be improved by grouping the digits (for example in groups of three), or reading aloud. | + | A measure for the **capacity of short-term** (primary) memory was first introduced even a bit earlier, in 1887, by **Joseph Jacobs**, who tested the span of digits his students were able to remember.(([[http://books.google.com/books?id=fMgm-2NXAXYC|Baddeley, Alan D. Human memory: theory and practice. Psychology Press, 1997.]])) Under the criterion that at least 50% of the digits need to be remembered correctly, subjects he tested mostly remembered **about 7 digits**. What he also noticed is that this result can be improved by grouping the digits (for example in groups of three), or reading aloud. |
Similar results were reported by **[[http://www.lifecircles-inc.com/Learningtheories/IP/GAMiller.html|George Miller]]** in 1956 in his famous work "The **Magical Number Seven**, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information"(([[http://cogprints.org/730/1/miller.html|Miller, G. A. The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review, 63, 81–97. 1956.]])), where he suggested human short-term capacity was determined by the number of **//chunks//** or cognitive wholes one can remember, no matter if it is a letter, digit or word. This number on average equals **seven**, and may vary usually **between five and nine**. | Similar results were reported by **[[http://www.lifecircles-inc.com/Learningtheories/IP/GAMiller.html|George Miller]]** in 1956 in his famous work "The **Magical Number Seven**, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information"(([[http://cogprints.org/730/1/miller.html|Miller, G. A. The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review, 63, 81–97. 1956.]])), where he suggested human short-term capacity was determined by the number of **//chunks//** or cognitive wholes one can remember, no matter if it is a letter, digit or word. This number on average equals **seven**, and may vary usually **between five and nine**. |