Short term memory refers to our ability to temporarily recall a small amount of
information over a short period of time. STM is useful and important because
it
plays a vital role in converting short-term memories into long-term. Additionally
it's helpful if you're asked to do something then and there, at that present time
as it enables you to actively remember it for that brief moment. Furthermore, it's
also important in relation to storage of information because it prevents
overload as the information in STM is lost after a short period of time as it's
only temporary. This differs for LTM because the capacity for this can somewhat
be classified as potentially unlimited. LTM is important regarding social
significance as it is formed based on our social interactions, which in turn
enables us to form friendships and relationships over time as well as remember
significant events
In order for me to investigate the duration of short term memory I will be
replicating Peterson and Peterson's (1959) experiment on sixth form students
who attend Gosforth Academy. This experiment uses insignificant consonants
such as KLD or HGU for participants to remember. However participants are
equested to instantly count backwards from a 3-digit number to pr
rehearsal for various time intervals to test the duration of their short-term
memory