Abstract
Ss tried to repeat series of 8 digits immediately after hearing them. Each series of digits had a predictable digit (a zero) in a known location, and Ss were told to omit this digit. Performance in this task is similar to the performance obtained in repetition of 8 non-redundant digits, although if the redundant element is near the center of the series, Ss can improve their recall of the other digits. Digit recall seems to be largely, but not entirely, a matter of “primary memory,” which involves a more or less faithful unrecoded replica of stimulus input.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Crossman, E. R. F. W. Information and serial order in human immediate memory. In C. Cherry (Ed.), Proceedings of the fourth London conference on information theory. London: Butterworths, 1961. Pp. 147–159.
Dallett, K. M. Effects of a redundant prefix on immediate recall. J. exp. Psychol., 1964, 67, 296–298.
Eriksen, C. W., & Johnson, H. J. Storage and decay characteristics of nonattended auditory stimuli. J. exp. Psychol., 1964, 68, 28–36.
Miller, G. A. The magical number seven, plus or minus two: some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychol. Rev., 1956, 63, 81–97.
Waugh, N. C., & Norman, D. A. Primary memory, Psychol. Rev., 1965, 72, 89–104.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dallett, K.M. “Primary memory”: The effects of redundancy upon digit repetition. Psychon Sci 3, 237 (1965). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03343114
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03343114