Abstract
Research has suggested that subject and stimulus variables are related to differential performance in perceptual tasks involving short-term recall. This study explored sex, race, and stimulus-duration variables as they related to memory efficiency. Numbers of from two to eight digits were randomly presented at 1/30- and 1/60-sec exposures. College students (N = 86, with 17 of each sex/race combination) reproduced digits immediately after slide presentation for 14 trials. A three-way ANOVA indicated significant main effects of sex, race, and exposure and a significant interaction of sex and race. In seven of the eight group/exposure combinations, significant negative correlations between stimulus complexity and recall evidenced a span-of-apprehension phenomenon.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Broadbent, D. E. Perception and communication. New York: Pergamon Press, 1958.
Garner, W. R. Uncertainty and structure as psychological concepts. New York: Wiley, 1962.
Mcconnell, J. V., Cutler, R. L., & McNeil, E. B. Subliminal stimulation: An overview. American Psychologist, 1958, 13, 229–242.
Mcginnies, E. Emotionality and perceptual defense. Psychological Review, 1949, 56, 244–251.
Miller, J. G. Discrimination without awareness. American Journal of Psychology, 1939, 52, 562–578.
Sacheim, H. A., Packer, I. K., & Gur, R. C. Hemisphericity, cognitive set, and susceptibility to subliminal perception. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1977, 86, 624–630.
Sperling, G. The information available in brief visual presentations. Psychological Monographs, 1960, 74(11, Whole No. 498).
Thorndike, E. L., & Rock, R. T. Learning without awareness of what is being learned or intent to learn it. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1934, 17, 1–19.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This effort was, in part, supported by Grant SPI80-10733 from the National Science Foundation through Howard University. Appreciation is expressed to Donald King, Department of Psychology, Howard University, for his thoughtful comments and critique.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Buckalew, L.W., Hickey, R.S. Subject and stimulus variables in short-term recall and span of apprehension. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 22, 37–39 (1984). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333754
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333754