Miller's research (1956) and students' study

In my research, I will replicate the study on memory - Miller (1956).

Miller published his psychological research "The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two," in
1956, revolutionising our comprehension of human cognitive capacity. This study delves into the
complexities of human memory, exposing the constraints that govern our information processing
abilities.

Miller's aim was to explore the limits of human working memory, specifically examining the capacity
for processing information. His focus on determining the optimal amount of information individuals
could hold in their working memory aimed to help out to a comprehension of fundamental aspects
of human cognition, paving the way for later research into memory and information processing.

However, Miller's (1956) investigation of short-term memory overlooked additional variables

influencing its capacity. For instance, age may also play a role in short-term memory, as Jacobs'
(1887) study recognized that short-term memory tends to improve gradually with age, but I was
interested in how technology affects our memory, because in my opinion, this factor at this time can
greatly affect some of us.

My study 50+ years after Miller’s potential impact of technology in today's digital age, with vast
amounts of information stored on compact mobile devices, concerns potential declines in memory
capacity. However, research suggests that even with advancements in technology, human cognitive
limits persist. When individuals are tasked with remembering strings of numbers and letters for
extended durations, findings indicate outcomes comparable to those observed by Miller. Despite the
proliferation of digital storage solutions, memory capacity appears to remain constrained. Expanding
the duration of memory tasks may yield similar outcomes to Miller's experiments, with diminishing
recall over time. This suggests that while technology offers convenient storage options, it doesn't
fundamentally alter the inherent limits of human memory. Moreover, increased reliance on digital
devices may even contribute to cognitive offloading, where individuals rely on external aids rather
than internal memory processes. In essence, while modern technology provides unprecedented
access to information, it's essential to recognize that human memory capacity remains finite.
Understanding these cognitive constraints can inform how we interact with and adapt to the digital
landscape, emphasising the importance of strategies to optimise memory function in an increasingly
information-rich world.

In the pursuit of validating George A. Miller's pioneering findings, several studies have been
conducted to examine the limits of human cognitive capacity. Cowan's (2001) study, "The Magical
Number 4 in Short-Term Memory," while questioning the specific numerical value proposed by
Miller, corroborated the existence of a restricted capacity within short-term memory. Similarly,
Alvarez and Cavanagh's (2004) investigation into visual short-term memory provided further support
for Miller's theory, reinforcing the notion of cognitive constraints within this domain. Moreover,
Baddeley's (2010) comprehensive analysis in "Working Memory" offered additional substantiation,
albeit through the lens of a multi-component model. By delving into the intricate workings of
working memory, Baddeley's research provided nuanced insights into the nature of cognitive
limitations, aligning with Miller's foundational work. Collectively, these studies contribute to the
ongoing validation and refinement of Miller's "magical number" theory, underscoring its significance
in the realm of cognitive psychology. Through empirical evidence and theoretical exploration,
researchers continue to elucidate the complexities of human memory and cognition, building upon
Miller's seminal insights to advance our understanding of the fundamental principles governing
cognitive processes.

Another study by Peterson & Peterson (1959)

Objective

Lloyd and Margaret Peterson embarked on a comprehensive investigation to explore the temporal
span of short-term memory, aiming to elucidate the nuanced dynamics of information retention
within this cognitive domain.

The aim of their study was to meticulously assess the prevailing hypothesis asserting that
information not subjected to rehearsal undergoes rapid dissipation from the confines of short-term
memory, shedding light on the intricate interplay of various cognitive processes underlying memory
retention.

Methodology

Their methodological approach entailed the orchestration of a meticulously designed laboratory

experiment, meticulously crafted to provide a controlled environment conducive to the systematic
exploration of short-term memory duration. The participants, comprising 24 individuals with a
background in psychology, were subjected to a series of carefully constructed tasks aimed at eliciting
their short-term memory capabilities.

The participants were tasked with the retrieval of trigrams, consisting of meaningless three-
consonant syllables meticulously selected to minimize any potential confounding variables. These
trigrams were presented to the participants individually, with each trigram requiring accurate recall
after predetermined intervals of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, or 18 seconds, thus facilitating a nuanced
examination of short-term memory duration across varying temporal intervals.

Notably, stringent measures were implemented to ensure the fidelity of the experimental setup, with
successive trigrams meticulously crafted to preclude the repetition of any constituent letters, thereby
mitigating the risk of interference and ensuring the purity of the experimental conditions.
Furthermore, participants were instructed to engage in a secondary task involving backward counting
by threes or fours from a randomly assigned digit, a technique known as the Brown Peterson
technique. This ancillary task was strategically employed to impede rehearsal processes and isolate
the effects of temporal duration on short-term memory retention, thereby affording a clearer
elucidation of the underlying mechanisms governing memory decay.

The experimental design meticulously delineated the independent variable as the temporal interval
between the presentation of the trigram and its subsequent recall following the cessation of the
secondary task, with intervals ranging from 3 to 18 seconds. Correspondingly, the dependent variable
was defined as the accuracy of trigram recall across the various temporal intervals, thereby
facilitating a comprehensive analysis of memory performance under differing temporal constraints.

Results and Interpretation

The meticulously collected data yielded a rich tapestry of insights into the temporal dynamics of
short-term memory retention, offering compelling evidence in support of the prevailing hypothesis
regarding the limited duration of information retention within this cognitive domain.

The findings elucidated a clear trend, with the accuracy of trigram recall exhibiting a discernible
decline as the temporal interval between the presentation of the trigram and its subsequent recall
increased. Specifically, the data revealed that participants exhibited a commendable proficiency in
trigram recall when the temporal interval was relatively short, with approximately 80% of trigrams
accurately recalled after 3 seconds. However, as the temporal interval increased, the accuracy of
recall exhibited a precipitous decline, with only 50% of trigrams accurately recalled after 6 seconds,
and a mere 10% after 18 seconds, indicative of the finite duration of short-term memory retention
when rehearsal processes are impeded.

Conclusion

In summation, the findings of Lloyd and Margaret Peterson's seminal study offer invaluable insights
into the temporal dynamics of short-term memory retention, underscoring the finite duration of
information retention within this cognitive domain and highlighting the pivotal role of rehearsal
processes in mitigating the effects of memory decay.

Moreover, the findings serve to corroborate and extend existing theoretical frameworks, such as the
multi-store model of memory, by providing empirical support for the notion of distinct memory
stores characterized by varying temporal capacities. Indeed, the observed discrepancies in memory
retention between short-term and long-term memory underscore the intricate interplay of cognitive
processes underlying memory encoding, consolidation, and retrieval, thereby enriching our
understanding of the complex mechanisms governing human memory.