The Role of Temporal Distraction on Short-Term Memory and Delayed Recognition

<p>Memory is a complex process that requires the translation of information from an external sensory experience into an internal representation. Once information has been translated into memory, there is little agreement regarding the cognitive structure of memory storage and maintenance. Baddeley (1966) developed a model based on a multi-storage structure which suggested that as information entered through the sensory system, it was relayed by a cognitive control center and placed into storage units based on information type (i.e. auditory, visual, etc.). Baddeley’s (1966) multi-store memory model hypothesized that content translated into memory by two phases: short-term and long-term memory. More recent research supports a unitary model that better accounts for the translation of information from short term memory (STM) to long term memory (LTM) (Jost et al., 2012; Jonides et al., 2008). However, there is still uncertainty of a unitary memory model due to disagreement of the role of distractions during memory translation. The impact of distraction on this process is largely unknown. Understanding the role of distraction during STM encoding and how it affects the formation of LTM can potentially inform treatment for impaired memory. We explored the impact of temporal distractions on short-term memory and delayed recognition for visual content within a modified behavioral task based on Sternberg’s recognition task. Results indicated a negative impact of distractors on memory translation. Implications for future research were discuss to include clinical populations.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2017

Author dc:creator

• Luu, Susanna

Contributors dc:contributor

• Brenner, Colleen A.
• Neece, Cameron L.
• Sonne, Janet L.
• Vermeersch, David A.

• Clinical Psychology
• Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Memory; Long-term memory; Short-term memory; Human Information Processing; Mental Processes
• External sensory experience; Memory storage; Cognitive Control Center;

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/478

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1476