Iconic Memory Dr. Paula Waddill Murray State University

1. Iconic MemoryDr. Paula WaddillMurray State University Note: You will need a computer with sound for this demonstration. Adapted from: Timothy Bender, Missouri State University; http://courses.missouristate.edu/tab293f/mem/exe/oldiconlab.exe

2. Full Report Procedure In the first part of this demonstration, you’ll experience the whole report procedure used to study iconic memory (Sperling, 1960, Exp. 1). You’ll see a 4 x 3 array of letters appear briefly on the screen. Then you will have to recall the whole array.

3. To give you an idea of how fast the arrays will be presented, let’s look at some examples. The first sample array will be displayed for 1000 msec (1 sec). The second sample will be displayed for 500 msec. The last sample will be displayed for 100 msec (the speed used in this demonstration). When you’re ready to see the examples, click the Start Samples button. Start Samples

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10. Now you are ready for the memory trials. All the arrays will be presented for approximately 100 msec (although the actual speed of the display will depend upon the computer you are using). Before you begin, take out a sheet of paper and number it from 1 to 10. Leave enough space between each number to write down a complete 4 x 3 array of letters.

11. Before each trial, you will see a fixation cross (+) appear on the screen. Keep your eyes focused on the location of the cross when the 4 x 3 array flashes on the screen. It’s very important that your eyes are looking at the center of the screen when the array flashes. After the array disappears, you are to write down the entire array of 12 letters (3 rows of 4 letters each). Even if you cannot specifically remember a letter, you must write a letter in each position in the array. The same letter may appear more than once in an array. After you’ve recalled the array, click the mouse to advance to the next trial. When you are ready to start the memory trials, click the Start Trials button. Start Trials

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32. Array 1RMXPWBGKTNXQ Array 2YMPBDSBJKGRW Array 4XTBSFRWMPBKZ Array 5DGKPWDRNAZCT Now, it’s time to score your arrays. Give yourself 1 point for each letter you recalled in the correct position in an array. Add up all your points, then divide by 10 to get your mean score for the full report condition. Array 3MNTLGBCFSTSR Array 6HLNQMGHLPXEH Array 7MJGERYPNVKRA Array 8NVLP SGBYKSJZ Array 9RJFL SBHMXWKC Array 10YVBW ZGNTMLDF

33. Partial Report Procedure Next, you will participate in the partial report procedure that was developed by Sperling (1960, Exp. 3). With that procedure, Sperling’s subjects did not have to recall the entire array. Instead, after the array disappeared, they heard a tone that signaled which row of the array they were to recall: top (high tone), middle (medium tone), or bottom (low tone). The tones were randomly ordered so the subjects could not predict which row they would have to remember.

34. In this part of the demonstration, you will again see 4 x 3 arrays flashed on the screen for 100 msec. As the array disappears, you will hear a tone that signals which row you are to recall. A high pitched tone means you are to write down the 4 letters in the top row; a medium pitched tone means to write the 4 letters in the middle row; a low pitched tone means write the 4 letters in the bottom row. You must write 4 letters for the indicated row even if you aren’t sure that all of them are correct. The same letter may appear more than once in an array and in a row.

35. First, listen to the tones. Click the sound icon next to each button to hear the tone. Listen to each tone at least 3 or 4 times in different orders (and with your eyes closed) until you can clearly tell the difference. It is important that you recognize and remember which tone signals which row of the array. When you are completely familiar with the tones and can remember which pitch signals which row, click the Advance button. High pitch (Top Row) Advance to Next Slide Medium pitch (Middle Row) Low pitch (Bottom Row)

36. Before you begin, number a sheet of paper from 1 to 10. A fixation cross will appear before each array. Keep your eyes focused on the location of the cross when the array appears. It is very important that you keep your eyes focused on the middle of the screen when the array is presented. Do not try to predict which row you’ll be asked to recall. As the array disappears, you’ll hear one of the tones. When the tone sounds, write down the 4 letters from the row associated with the tone (top row for high tone, middle for medium tone, bottom for low tone). You must write 4 letters. After you’ve recalled the row, click the mouse to advance to the next trial. When you are ready to start the memory trials, click the Start Trials button. Start Trials

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