The role of absolute and relative amounts of time in forgetting within immediate memory: The case of tone-pitch comparisons

Author(s): Saults, J. S., Nugent, L. D.

Journal/Book: Psychonomic Bull Rev. 1997; 4: 1710 Fortview Rd, Austin, TX 78704. Psychonomic Soc Inc. 393-397.

Abstract: Many investigators of auditory sensory memory have assumed that memory loss during a retention interval of some seconds results from a process (such as decay) that depends on the absolute amount of time that has elapsed since presentation of the sound. An alternative possibility, brought to light by studies on immediate verbal memory, is that it is the relative, rather than the absolute, amount of time that matters. We examine these factors in a tone-comparison study by varying not only the retention interval between two tones to be compared, but also the interpair interval. Relative time played a role, but absolute time also appeared to be important. Several concepts of ''decay'' are considered in relation to the results.

Note: Article Cowan N, Univ Missouri, Dept Psychol, 210 Mcalester Hall, Columbia,MO 65211 USA

Keyword(s): SHORT-TERM-MEMORY; AUDITORY MEMORY; RECENCY; INFORMATION; REHEARSAL; LENGTH

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