An experimental investigation of memory span.

Abstract

The present study is concerned with the relative constancy of the memory span.In the literature there is no definite evidence as to whether memory span is general or specific, i.e., whether the span of an individual remains constant relative to that of the other members of the group in spite of the variations due to the influence of other factors.In this investigation two factors were varied at different times, namely, the type of material and the sensory avenue of presentation.The object was to investigate the constancy of the individual in relation to the group under these two conditions.At the same time the data also yield information on the absolute constancy of the memory span.In the earlier literature the general belief was that there was a constant absolute size of memory span, i.e., that the size of the span did not vary with the material presented.Blankenship (i), in a recent summary of the literature, presents evidence to prove that the absolute size of the span varies from material to material.The present study lends further evidence to this latter conclusion.It may be noted in passing that should there be an absolute constancy, that is, should the size of the memory span be independent of the type of material then the question of relative constancy would be automatically solved, and memory span would of necessity be general rather than specific. PLAN OF THE EXPERIMENT Materials and Method of RecallTests were constructed with ten different kinds of material.The materials are listed below with explanations as to the procedure followed in constructing the tests.* The writer wishes to express his appreciation to Dr. H. A. Carr, Dr. F. A. Kingsbury, and Dr. L. L. Thurstone for their guidance and assistance during the course of this study.He also wishes to thank Mr. Ledyard R. Tucker for his suggestions of procedure in the factorial analysis on which the latter part of the study is based.

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