Introduction:
Research conducted by George Miller demonstrated that our short-term memory has a capacity of seven (plus or minus two) ″bits″ of information. These ″bits″ can be any meaningful piece of information, such as sounds, letters, or colors. Once we reach full capacity, no new information can enter.
This assignment fulfills/Supports:
Module Outcome: 1
Course Outcome: 1, 3
General Education Competencies: 1, 2, 5
The Assignment:
For this assignment, do the following:
Stage 1: Memory Games!
Take the Digit Span Test available through PsyToolKit at https://www.psytoolkit.org/experiment-library/digitspan.html . The test takes less than 10 minutes. At the end, you will be given a ″memory score″ (a number between 0-10). Write down that number! You will need it for your discussion!
Now, play the Simon Memory Game online at https://www.memozor.com/simon-games/simon-game (opens in a new window). Again, write down you score at the end (your score indicates how many color steps you were able to remember before making a mistake).
Stage 2: Reflect and Submit!
In an essay, thoroughly discuss the following:
What is your ″memory score″ from the Digit Span Test? How many color steps could you remember in the Simon Memory Game? How do your scores compare with the capacity of short term memory (7 +/- 2 bits of information)?
Compare your memory score on the Digit Span Test to your score on the Simon Memory game. What might explain the differences (or similarities) in your scores?
Choose at least ONE of the encoding strategies listed in your textbook (found in section 8.4 of the chapter) and explain (in detail) how it could improve your score on the Simon Memory Game or the Digit Span Test.
Now choose at least ONE of the retrieval strategies listed in your textbook and explain (in detail) how it could improve your score on your next quiz.
Click in the box under the heading ″Submission″ (below) to attach your essay.
Acceptable Length: 1 typed page (12 pt. font; double-spaced)
