MSM: Long Term Memory

Question 1

What did Bahrick aim to do?

Answer 1

Investigate the duration of the long term memory

Question 2

What was the procedure of Bahrick’s yearbook test?

Answer 2

392 American ex high school students aged 17-74 tested for recall in four ways

Question 3

What were the 4 ways in which recall was tested in the yearbook test?

Answer 3

1. Free recall of the names of as many former classmates
2. Photo recognition test, identity former classmates from 50 photos
3. Name recognition test
4. Name and photo matching test

Question 4

What were the findings of Bahrick’s study?

Answer 4

• 90% accurate in face and name recognition after 15 years
• 70% accurate for face recognition after 48 years
• 60% accurate for free recall after 15 years
• 30% accurate for free recall after 48 years

Question 5

What was the conclusion of the yearbook test?

Answer 5

People have very long term memories

Question 6

What are 3 evaluation points for the yearbook test?

Answer 6

• Lacks population validity/ ethnocentric
• High ecological validity
• Ethical issues: don’t know they are being studied

Question 7

What is the capacity of the LTM?

Answer 7

Potentially limitless

Question 8

What is the duration of the LTM?

Answer 8

Potentially unlimited

Question 9

What is the encoding of the LTM?

Answer 9

Semantically