Intro section of research paper

I. Memory: The 3 stages

A. Acquisition-Storage-Retrieval

1. Storage is where “learning” really begins

2. Most memory errors happen in the retrieval stage, but are due to poor storage (cite any cognition textbook)

B. Since storage is the root of the problem… what do we know?

1. We automatically store semantically

a. Define semantic

b. Research showing that this is true

c. Research explaining WHY this happens

C. Semantic networks and hierarchies

1. Prototypes

a. Degrees of fit

b. Frequency (high vs low)

c. Research on this?

D. Typicality Effect

a. The sentence verification task (an S is a P)

b. Fast yes vs slow yes

i. Due to “feature comparison”

II. Basic memory research paradigm

A. Familiarization Phase

1. Explain the task, give a practice example

B. Learning Phase

1. They are given a time limit to learn a list of words

C. Retention Interval

1. They are given a Rehearsal Prevention Task

D. Testing Phase

1. They are asked to remember the words

a. Recognition: multiple choice or list comparison

b. Recall: free or cued

III. Since the testing phase is focused on measuring retrieval, and since retrieval is where memory errors happen, we can look at research on how we retrieve based on how we stored.

A. One important finding is about Organization: (this is how we structure and store info in memory). In free recall tests, we tend to recall the words in semantic categories. This is due to the natural, automatic tendency towards chunking

B. Chunking (Miller)

a. We do this semantically and automatically

b. Blocking

i. Other types: ABC order; personal significance

ii. Most effective & used: semantic categories

IV. Interaction

A. Memory depends on time spent learning the words

1. Typical takes less time; can look just at categories instead of all members

2. Natural vs. experimenter-generated categories: takes time to make categories if not already there

3. So putting TYP with BLOCKED….

4. Our purpose

B. Hypotheses

1. H1: Recall for prototypical items > non prototypical items

2. H2: Recall for blocked lists > random lists

3. H3: There will be a Typicality X Organization interaction

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