PSYCH 120A Chapter Notes - Chapter 6.2: Memory Span, The Need, Prefrontal Cortex
Document Summary
Relevant bits of information sometimes come into view one at a time. Need to hold on to all of the info then coordinate all of it together. Multiple ideas in your thoughts all activated simultaneously. Some people are able to hold onto more elements while other fewer. Digit span task: people read a series of digits and immediately repeated back. Errors usually occur when there are more than 7/8 items. Digit span: number of digits a person can echo back without errors. 7 plus or minus 2 chunks: estimated capacity of wm. Chunks do not hold a fixed quantity of info but depend on the person. Can be grouped into even larger chunks. Capacity of working memory remains the same but chunking strategy can vary. Operation span: measure working memory when it is working . Reading span: read aloud a series of sentences then asked to recall final word. If done correctly longer list of sentences.
