Question

Gather three close friends and conduct this simple experiment. Mention a 10-digit code number and allow them to memorize in 5 minutes. After five minutes let each person mention the 10-digit code number. Repeat experiment and let each person mention the code after 20 minutes i) what were your observations? Explain how this relate to short-term memory span in human beings.

Answer 1

We have performed that experiment on three close friends. First I gave them a 10 digit code number and allow them to memorize it in 5min and after completed that 5min get a number from them. The same operation performs but now increases the time which was 20 min to memorize. we found different results;

After 5 min;

Friends	The correct digit count out of 10 digit
1st	7
2nd	6
3rd	6

After 20min;

Friends	The correct digit count out of 10 digit
1st	5
2nd	5
3rd	6

So, we got the result after 5min they give more correct numbers than 20min. Because the information in short term memory is highly susceptible to interference and new information or the suggestion may become incorporated into old memories over time. This means the if any new information enters into short-term memory will quickly displace any old information.

The numbers are easy to remember than words for short-term memory. And for long-term memory imagination helps a lot. We are going to a restaurant and we order something and up to the order come and we eat the food we remember the price and order. But after some months we forget. But some memories are for a long period of time like how we are going to that restaurant for the first time or first date like this.